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f4 



REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENTS 

OF QUEENS COUNTY. 



/v 



We insert some disconnected passages that 
were omitted in our Revolutionary Incidents 
published in 1846. 

1775, Jan. 14. A report was circulated that 
unless Queens County organized a committee 
(as requested by the Congress) the farmers 
would be excluded from the New York mar- 
ket, and that some had actually been turned 
out, which operated as intended. At Jamaica 
a few persons assembled privately, two miles 
from the village, made a collection for the 
Constable, and got him to call a meeting 
secretly. They sent for friends from Hemp- 
stead, to make a show of hands, and yet had 
but a small majority. — Rivington' s Gazette. 

1775, May 10. Thomas Smith, John Hew- 
lett and John Townsend, Justices, of Oyster- 
bay, hearing of anonymous advertisements 
being set up to notify the people to appear at 
Jamaica, 33d instant, to choose Deputies to 
form a Convention to carry the Resolves of 
the Continental Congress into execution, take 
this method to perpetuate to posterity, that 
they pay no regard to any matter contrary to 
the sacred oath they have taken to preserve 
the peace of the county as far as they are 
able. This protest they entered on the town 
records. 

At the next town-meeting, April 3, 1776, it 
was voted that this protest of Thomas Smith, 
Esq., John Hewlett, Esq., and John Town- 
send, Esq. , be erased from the records : 

For — William Townsend, John Luyster, 
Benjamin Birdsall, Samuel Burr, James 
Townsend of Duck Pond, Joseph Coles at 
Creek, Phillip Youngs, William Willis, Peter 
Hegeman, Dr. James Townsend. 

Against — Thomas Jackson, Penn Cock, 
Mouris Casliow. 

1777, April 1. At the annual town-meeting 
it was voted to re-enter the narrative of the 
three Justices, erased by the vote of ten men, 
April 3d, 1776, when the freedom of election 
was destroyed, the Congressional party came 
into Oysterbay with armed force and took 
great numbers of the loyal freeholders and 



inhabitants prisoners ; some few they carried 
off prisoners, the others they disarmed and 
carried off their arms, and obliged them to 
sign their paper not to oppose their measures. 
This the Congressional party did some months 
before the annual town-meeting in April, 1776. 

The said narrative being first put on record 
to perpetuate to distant ages what a large 
majority of loyalists the township contained, 
we humbly conceive that if the said narrative 
is not re-entered (that now stands erased on 
the record) the rising generation may be led 
to believe that the great majority of loyalists 
that voted against Deputies to form Con- 
gresses (at the annual town-meeting, April 
4, 1775,) changed their sentiments before the 
annual town-meeting, April 3, 1776. These 
are the reasons of the subscribers. 

Thos. Smith, 
John Townsend.* 

Entered by order of said meeting, March 
34, 1778. John Cock, Clerk. 

1775, Dec. 30. Congress orders the arms 
received from William Mills, Dirck Amer- 
man, and John Stanson or Stein of Captain 
Skidmore's company at Jamaica to be re- 
turned, and that Jonah Roads, Cornelius Loo- 
sie, Mary Mills, Peter Fredericks and Fred- 
erick Amerman be paid the value of theirs. 

1776, Jan. 4. The Congress recommended 
that all persons opposed to the Revolution 
should be held up as enemies to their country. 
This caused petitions like the following to be 
sent in : Thomas Place and Gabriel Van Cott 
pray to be restored to the good opinion of the 
friends of American liberty. Feb. 10, Cap- 
tain Jacob Mott. Feb. 19, William and 
Thomas Cock. 

1776, May 39. Charles Loosley and Thomas 
Elms, Hempstead Harbor, petition the Pro- 
vincial Congress to be excused from military 

*Thi8 John Townsend, aged 44, married (1767) 
Judith Townsend, aged 17. He went once to England 
during the war. He died of small pox, 1785, having 
lived in concealment (for fear of Whig resentment) at 
Peter R. Kissam's. His widow kept his death a secret 
till she could secure all his property. 



6 



Revolutionary Incidents 



duty, as they were busy making paper, a 
trade they were brought up to in England. 

1776, June 27. Judge Thomas Jones, 
while peaceably living on his estate at Fort 
Neck, was taken by Major Abell and a party 
of rebels, by order of Provincial Congress, 
and carried to New York, for refusing to ap- 
pear before a Committee. Discharged, June 
30, on his parole. — His. ii, 295. 

In Committee, Queens Co.,) 
July 1, 1776. [ 

The Committee took into consideration a 
Resolve of Provincial Congress relating to 
removal of stock* from the south side of this 
county ; and, as many difficulties and impos- 
sibilities do appear, this Committee has ap- 
pointed Colonel Remsen, Colonel Robinson 
and Samuel Riker to make a representation 
thereof to the Provincial Congress and Gene- 
ral officers of the Continental army ; and of 
the defenceless state of this county, and re- 
quest such force as shall be able, with the 
county militia, to prevent our being plun- 
dered by the Ministerial troops ; and also to 
apply for £200. 

Benj. Sands, Chairman. 

Cow Neck, Aug. 177G. 
To George Townsend, Esq., 
Chairman of the Committee of Queens Co. : 
Sir: As the New Levies under my com- 
mand are ordered immediately to march to 
the west end of this Island, and as their 
bounty and rations are absolutely necessary 
to this end, you will therefore please to send 
by the bearer hereof, Thomas T. Jackson, all 
the money in your hands which Convention 
have allowed for this purpose, his receipt 
being your discharge. Your compliance will 
oblige 

Your very Humble Servant, 

John Sands, Col. 

To Mr. S.\.muel, Townsend, Esq.: 

I desire. Sir, you would deliver the money 
for the bounty of Col. Sands' Battalion, agree- 
able to the within order, 
per me, 
George Townsend, Chairman. 

♦After the batt'.f of Brooklyn the stock collected by 
General Woodhull fell into the hands of the British, 
who kept the fat cattle for army tisd and delivered the 
milch cows, lean and young cattle, to their owners. 
Daniel Chamier, Commissary General, would not help 
Judj;e Jones to got payment for his fat cattle.— ^ee/«> 
Journal, i, 116-7. 



Rec'd, the 9th August, 1776, of Samuel 
Townsend, £350, on account of money bor- 
rowed of the Congress, which, with the £50 
paid said Samuel Townsend, makes the whole 
sum borrowed from Congress, £350 

£400 
George Townsend, 

Chairman of County Committee. 

1776, Aug. 11. Judge Jones was seized 
upon by Lieut. Skinner and a parcel of riHe- 
men, conducted to New York, and carried 
before a Board of Officers. By order of 
George Washington, August 13th, he was 
sent to Connecticut ; August 15th, he set sail ; 
19th, arrived at Norwich ; 21st, admitted to 
parole within certain limits. After the battle 
of Brooklyn, Gov. Trumbull let hiiu return 
home on parole. — IBs., Vol. ii, 297. 

Rec'd, Oysterbay, 13th August, 1776, of 
George Townsend, for Col. Sands, by the 
hands of Samuel Townsend, £622, 14, 8,* 
bounty money, sent by the Convention of the 
State of New York, to pay the bounty of mea 
lately raised in Queens County for the pur- 
pose of guarding the stock of said county. 
Tnos. T. Jackson. f 

Rec'd, the 13th August, 1776, of Samuel 
Townsend, fourteen sheets, to the amount of 
£68, 2, 8, rec'd per me as Chairman of 
County Committee, the said money to pay the 
bounty of the late Draughts under Col. John 
Sands. George Townsend. 

1776, Aug. 23. A list of one-fourth part of 
Capt. Phillip Valentine's company, drafted, 
July 25, for the American army in Brooklyn: 

Benjamin Cornwell, serv't. Uriah Valentine, 

Peter, serv't to Griswold, Samuel Davenport, 

William Crocker, Austin Williams, 

Daniel Willis, John Carle, 

Carr Hubbs, Joseph Smith, 

Lott Carman, Samuel Place, 

John Newbury, Charles Tims, 

John Davis,?: Peter Hurley ,| 

Samuel Searing.^ Garret Nostrand.J 

Samuel Lockwood.t William Bedle,:): 

Richard Seaman, William Johnson, J 

*50 sheets, 998 4d each, is £-248, 6. 8 
3 do. 72 dollars each, 374, 8 

£622, 14, 8 
The Continental currency, for convenience, was dis- 
tributed in sheets, and not yet cut up into separate 
bills. 

+1781, Dec. 1.5. Major Thomas Tredwell Jackson, 
at Peekskill, petitions Gov. Clinton for his brother to 
remove from Queens County. 

^Substitutes for James Tobine, Bpenefns and Uriah 
Piatt, John Searing, Derick Albertson, Peter Titu8 
and Richard Townsend. 



At Jamaica, Benjamin Whitehead, Joseph 
Dunbar and Peter Mills were drafted, but not 
delivered. — Eev. Tncid. Q. Co., p. 78. 

1776. The Americans burnt nearly thirty 
houses on Long Island, when Washington 
abandoned his lines. — Jones' Jour., ii, 808. 

After the British got possession of Long 
Island, their vessels sailed up the Sound and 
lay to on the west side of Great Neck. 

Capt. Brinton Payne, of Westchester, hav- 
ing observed that a boat went from Wool ley's 
to two British ships lying under the Long 
Island shore opposite Throg's point, crossed 
the Sound on the night of August 29th, and 
carried off John Woolley, Jr., a ferryman 
and an invalid, and brought him before the 
Committee of Safety, at Kingsbridge, one 
Hewlett, taken at the same time, having es- 
caped. On being examined, Woolley said 
that he and Phillip were brothers of Thomas 
and sons of Capt. John Woolley, and that he 
was going (Aug. 28) to remove his father's 
boat from Thome's dock home to a safer 
place to be unrigged, when he was taken, 
about noon, by the British barge, and carried 
on shipboard, where he saw two of Henry 
Allen's negroes. The British asked him to 
supply them with provisions. He replied 
the cattle were all driven off. So they let 
him go. Sept. 5th, Woolley, having given a 
bond to the Committee, with Richard Thorne 
and Henry Stocker as sureties, that he would 
not quit the main land nor aid the British, 
was suffered to depart. 

Col. JosiAn Smith's Journal. — "1776. 
I received orders from the New York Conven- 
tion ; July 30, was at Huntington, and set out 
thence to Queens County, with Col. Sands 
and Major Remsen ; 31st, I went down to 
Watch Hill, to see the guard at the bottom of 
Cow Neck ; Aug. 1, I spent in viewing a 
proper place to erect another guard on Great 
Neck ; 2d, I set out from Col. Sands' to Suf- 
folk County; 10th, received an express (Rich- 
ard [Bragaw] and John Sackett) from the 
Convention to march all the new levies to the 
west end of the Island ; 12th, I set out on 
our march and got as far as Huntington ; 
18th, got to Lieut. Increase Carpenter's; 14th, 
went down to the Ferry, to Gen. Greene's, 
and took up quarters for myself and regiment 
at [Rem.] Cowenhoven's ; 22d, the Regulars 
landed below New Utrecht, and I, with regi- 
ment, went down to Flatbush and near the 
Regulars, out all night and our advance 



Queens County — 2d Series. 7 

killed several of them ; 23d, all day in the 
woods [of Flatbush] and incessant firing all 
day — we killed a number and they wounded 
four of us, and shot Col. Martin through the 
breast — I was out on sentry in the woods all 
night and a dreadful thunder storm ; 26th, 
relieved of guard in afternoon; 27th, alarmed 
about 2 in the morning, and had many skir- 
mishes, and they attempted to force our lines 
and killed one of my men, we drove them 
back and lay in the trenches all night ; 28th, 
lay in the lines all day, exceeding heavy rain 
and a continual fire kept up between us and 
the Regulars all day, and we lay in the 
lines all night ; 29th, lay in the lines till 
middle of afternoon and then marched over 
to New York, staid there all night and were 
alarmed about 2 in the morning that our 
army was leaving our lines on Long Island ; 
30th, marched to Kingsbridge ; 31st, to New 
Rochelle, tried to get passage by water to 
Long Island, but could not ; Sept. 1st, 
marched to Mamaroneck, and there we em- 
barked on board vessels to go home, and 
about 11 o'clock at night got ashore at Capt. 
Piatt's, Smithtown ; 2d, I got home ; 3d, 
went to Southold to see Col. Livingston, but 
he had gone to New England ; 6th, I went to 
Mrs. WoodhuU's." 



Jamaica, Oct. 2, 1776. 
To John Hewlett, Esq.: 

You are to use your utmost endeavors to 
bring me cattle and sheep for the army; when 
delivered, a receipt will be given, to be paid 
at a certain time and place. If any butcher 
or others interfere with you, under pretence 
of bringing them to me, without a written 
order from me, seize their cattle, put a fair 
value on them, and drive them to me, and 
the owners shall be paid ; also seize all sheep 
and cattle of Rebels who have left their hab- 
itations ; and employ proper people to assist 
you. For doing whereof this shall be your 
warrant. 

Jas. Christie, Com. for Cattle & Sheep. 



Jamaica. 29 Aug., 177G. 
Permit Isaac Bemiet to pass iind repass 
without molestation. 

Will. Erskine, Brig. Gen. 

O O 



Flushing, 26th Sep., 1776. 
To Luke Bergen : 

Ficss two wasjons for the Service of the 
Light Dragoons. 

S. Birch, Lt. Col. 

o o 



Revolutionary Inc idents 



Long Island, 



1776. 



You are hereby ordered to preserve for the 
KING'S use, 3 loads of hay, 3 of wheat, 3 of 
straw, 3 of rye, 3 of barley; 50 bushels of 
wheat, 50 of oats, 50 of rye, 50 of barley, 50 
of Indian corn ; and not to dispose of the 
same, but to an order in writing, from Major 
John Morrison, Commissary for forage, 
as you will answer the contrary at your peril. 

To Israel Pearsall. 

A list of creatures taken from John Bowne 
by the Major of the Light horse, for the use 
of the army, viz. : 

21 old sheep, at 13s., £13, 13 

15 lambs, at lis., 8, 5 

Flushing, 8th Month, 29th, 1776. 

9th Mo. , 9Tn. Taken by Capt. Moxsome, 
of the Light horse, for the use of the troop, 
31 bush, oats, at 3s., £4, 13 

1776. The Americans burnt nearly thirty 
houses on Long Island when Washington 
abandoned his lines. — Jones's Journal, ii, 308. 

Admiral Harvey said he served in the 
United States in 1776, when a middy. He 
was cast away in the Liverpool in February, 
on Rockaway Beach. People kind to him, a 
Quaker family of the name of Hicks, and an- 
other family in particular. Remained quar- 
tered on them several weeks, part of the 
time in tents, always kindly and hospitably 
treated. When they (the crew) came to pay 
off, and expected to have a great deal above 
allowance to pay for, the good people would 
take nothing but the King's allowance, and 
told them they were people in distress, and 
would take nothing out of their pockets. 
The first night of their going ashore and 
landing in boats they swamped. The people 
came down in wagons and took them up 
home, changed and dried their clothes, and 
gave them supper. He never forgot it. — 
Irving's Life, ii, 180. 

1776, Aug. 31. Ezra L'Hommedieu writes 
from Hartford to Col. Josiah Smith, on the 
road with his regiment from New York east- 
ward : 

Dear Sir : I am infonned that the Regu- 
lars have been down on the Plains and that 
it is unsafe for you to pass into any part of 
Queens County. Our worthy friend, Gen. 
Woodhull, is a prisoner, wounded in the 
head and a bayonet run through his arm. 
His wound on his head was bad. He was 



taken at Increase Carpenter's, alone, in the 
afternoon, expecting himself at a place of 
safety. I have this information from Col. 
Robinson, of Jamaica, who says it may be de- 
pended on. I am going eastward, in order to 
send over a boat to Long Island. 

Lieut. Jabez Fitch writes that ' ' On Sep- 
tember 6, 1776, Gen. Woodhull, of the Long 
Island militia, was sent from the Mentor to 
the hospital at New Utrecht. He was an 
aged gentleman, and was taken by a party of 
the enemy's light-horse, at Jamaica, and al- 
though he was not taken in arras, yet those 
bloodthirsty savages cut and wounded him in 
the head and other parts of his body, with 
their swords, in a most inhuman manner, of 
which wounds he died at the hospital ; and 
though the director of their affairs took but 
little care to preserve his life, yet they were 
so generous to his lady as to indulg-e her with 
liberty to carry home the general's corpse 
and bury it with decency." 

John Morin Scott writes (Sept. 6, 1776,) 
from White Plains : "Poor Gen. Woodhull, 
with a lieutenant and four men, were made 
prisoners on Long Island. I had a letter 
from him dated the 1st instant, but not dated 
from any place, nor does he tell vae how he 
was taken. He has lost all his baggage, and 
requested of me two shirts and two pairs of 
stockings, which I should have sent him, 
had not the flag of truce gone before I re- 
ceived the letter. I shall comply with his 
request by the first opportunity." 

A descendant of the inn-keeper. Increase 
Carpenter, says Woodhull was in the hall as 
the British entered. On arresting him, they 
bid him say: "God save the King!" He 
replied : ' ' God save us all !" That did not 
satisfy his captors, and they fell on him with 
their swords. He rushed out of the back 
door, followed by the soldiers, who stopped 
him a few feet from the door, where a maple 
tree to commemorate the deed was planted 
by the Carpenter family. Carpenter's grand- 
son said he had heard say that Woodhull was 
assaulted by the soldiers for refusing to drink 
the King's health. 

Judge Thomas Jones says, in his History 
of New York, ii, 332, (but don't say who told 
him), that " Woodhull took up his quarters 
at an inn about two miles east of Jamaica. 
His militia, panic-struck, left him and re- 
turned home, about forty excepted. A party 
of light-horse were sent to Jamaica, the even- 



Queens County — 3d Series 

ing after the battle, (Augvxst 27, 1776), as an 
escort to some prisoners taken in the action. 
Receiving information wliere Woodhull was, 
they surrounded the house and made him 
and his party all prisoners. Not the least 
opposition was made, not a gun fired. They 
asked for quarter, and it was generously 
granted. The general, after his surrender, 
favored by the darkness of the night, at- 
tempted to make his escape, but being dis- 
covered by the sentries while attempting to 
get over a board fence, he received several 
strokes from their broadswords, particularly 
one upon the arm. He was carried on board 
a man-of-war and treated with hospitality. 
The surgeons advised amputation. He would 
not consent to this. The wound mortified 
and he died in a few days."* 

This story of Woodhull's attempting to 
escape is offset by the sworn testimony of 
Robert Troup : " That while he was confined 
on board a transport. Brigadier General 
Woodhull was also brought on board in a 
shocking mangled condition ; that he asked 
the general the particulars of his capture, 
and was told by the general that he had been 
taken by a party of light-horse under com- 
mand of Capt. Oliver Delancey; that he was 
asked by the captain if he would surrender ; 
that he answered in the affirmative, provided 
he would treat him like a gentleman, which 
Capt. Delancey assured him he would; where- 
upon the general delivered his sword, and 
that immediately after said Oliver Delancey, 
Jr., struck him; and others of said party, 
imitating his example, did cruelly cut and 
hack him in the manner he then was. " See 
also "Revolutionary Incidents of Suffolk 
County," pp. 31-41, and "Queens County in 
Olden Times," p. 53. 

This fiction of Woodhull's clambering over 
a fence may have been borrowed from the 
fact that when the British rode up to Robert 
Hinchman's house, in Jamaica, he ran out at 
the back door, and, as he was getting over 
the fence, found himself surrounded on all 
sides and had to beg for quarter. All other 
accounts agree in this : that the general re- 
ceived his wounds (by whomsoever inflicted) 
when he was first captured, and none make 

*VVe het-itated to give currency to this story while 
the MS. containing it was liept private under lock and 
key. It is now published entire ; and the credibility 
of the story may be estimated by a comparison with 
a score or two of other passages in the two volumes 
of the " History of New York during the Revolution." 



9 

any mention of this attempting to escape.— 
See "New York Historical Magazine," for 
1861, pp. 140-233, and " H. P. Johnston's 
Observations," p. 73. 

Gen. Woodhull's movements (in removing 
cattle out of the way of the enemy) have not 
been correctly described by our local histori- 
ans. They misplace his letters. They are 
given in the order they were written, in my 
"Revolutionary Incidents of Suffolk and 
Kings Counties," pp. 33-5. It has been 
taken for granted that the letter first written 
was first received. This is not so. The first 
letter, by misadventure, did not reach the 
Convention till after the second had been re- 
ceived and acted on. On August 25th and 
26th Woodhull was at Jamaica village, pre- 
paring to move westward, and on the morn- 
ing of the 27th he had got to the "west end" 
(not westward) of Queens County, probably 
where the road runs that serves as a division 
line between Kings and Queens Counties, 
west of the present Woodhaven. Here he 
wrote his first letter of August 27th. Then, 
hearing the bad news of the defeat of the 
American forces at Brooklyn, he withdrew 
eastward to Jamaica village, where he wrote 
his second letter of August 27th. He halted 
at Jamaica yet on the 28th, whence he dis- 
patched his third and last letter.* 

Queens County, ss.: 12th Sept., 1776.— I 
certify that Abram Probasco, of the township 
of Oysterbay, who had taken up arms volun- 
tarily in the American army, hath this day 
taken the oath of allegiance to His Majesty 
King George, before me, John Townsend, 
one of His Majesty's justices of the peace of 
Queens County. [Probasco received a pardon 
from William Howe, January 1, 1777]. 

"To whom it may concern." These may 
certify that Abraham Probasco hath this day 
taken the oath of allegiance to the State of i 
New York. Dated this 3d day of March , 1784^ \ 
Prior Townsend, JusticB.-" 

1777. On a tombstone in the churchyard. 
Flushing, is this inscription : " William Loul- 

*This letter was, in the lapse of time, torn in two, 
one leaf (through the ignorance of the clerk) was 
bound up in Vol. xvi, p. 339, of the MSS. of Provin- 
cial Congress and the other in Vol. xviii, p. 35. I 
united the two parts and thus printed the U-tters en- 
tire. I made a like discovery in a letter (March 9, 
ITTH,) relating to Daniel Kissam and Timothy Smith, 
which was also torn apart and inserted in Vols, xxvii, 
p. 23, and xxxv, p. 563.-8ee -'Revolutionary Inci- 
dents of Queens County," pp. 48-50. 



10 



EeVOLUTIONAKY iNCinENTS 



ber, Ensign and Adjutant in the Prince of 
Wales' Volunteers, died February 14th, aged 
35." 

1777, July 13. P. Vandervoort and Rich- 
ardson Sands, at Middletown, intercede for 
Thomas T. Jackson, a Whig, taken in the 
Sound, June 3. 

1778, July 34. Died in Jamaica, Rev. Wil 
liam Drummond, a Scotch Refugee from New 
Canaan, Ct. He was installed Pastor there 
of the Congregational church in 1771 and de- 
posed in 1777. 

1779, June 31. Henry Nicoll was married 
to Elsie Willett, of Spring Hill, Flushing. 

1780, June 5. The British packet Carteret 
was stranded near Jones' Inlet. She was sold 
at auction. Four American privateers drove 
her ashore, May 34 ; but they were driven 
off by a British fleet before they could get 
much from her. Her crew escaped with the 
mail to Long Island, and so to New York. 



Copies of old papers of Anthony Van Nos- 
trand, of Wolver Hollow, who was often im- 
pressed by the British to do their carting : 

1777, June 5. My wagon and one horse 
and gears gone in the army. 5th July, I got 
one horse again at Denyse's ferry at the Nar- 
rows ; and June 39, Samuel Stringham, the 
driver, came home. So I charge the King to 
twenty-five days for Stringham and thirty- 
one days for the horse. 

1777, Dec. 35. Justice Cowenhoven met 
the people at Pool's, for to pay off for the 
waggons and horses, as they were prised; and 
I received for my waggon only £13. 

1778, Dec. 33. Oysterbay. Received of 
Mr. Antony Van Nostrant 10 bushels of In- 
dian corn, for use of His Majesty's troops, for 
which George Brindley, Esq., Commissary of 
Forage, will pay. 

Setii Norton, Ass. Com. Forage. 

1779, One day to Jamaica for provisions 
for John Tuck, Quartermaster of Tarlton's 
Legion. One day for Davis, Quartermaster, 
to Jamaica and to Town. 

1779, Jan. 14. Prest for to go Eastward ; 
and 21st, set out from Jericho ; and 34th, 
came to Sagg ; and S6th, set out from Sagg 
home again ; and 37th, got home again, in 
the evening. 

1779, Jan. 33 and 34. Prest by the Yagers 
from Norridge to go to Jamaica for provisions, 
and got home the next night again. 



1779, Jan. 28. To Mr. Antony Van Nos- 
trand : Sir — You are hereby required to hold 
your horses and waggon in readiness at a 
moment's warning to cart forage to Oyster- 
bay. By order of 

JONA. Dix, Collector of Forage. 

N. B. — All gentlemen of the army will ex- 
cuse him from other service, as he is in the 
forage employ. 

1779, March 14. Prest for to go Eastward ; 
and 15th, set out from Jericho ; and 17th, 
came to Sagg ; and 18th, set out from Sagg 
home again ; and 31st, got home at night. 

1779, April 2. Oysterbay. Received of 
Mr. Anthony Van Nostrant ten hundred of 
fresh hay for the use of His Majesty's troops 
(for which (ieorge Brindley, Esq., Commis- 
sary of Forage, will pay) and five miles cart- 
age. Seth Norton, Ass. Com. Forage. 

1779, May 38. I do certify that Anthony 
Van Nostrant, with his waggon, has been em- 
ployed in carrying the baggage of the Queen's 
Rangers from Oysterbay to Valentine's hill, 
from the 17th of May to the above date, being 
eleven days inclusive. The above A. V. N. 
is now discharged and set at liberty to return 
to his respective home, which cannot be less 
than two days. J. Graves Stmcoe, 

Lt. Col. of Queen's Rangers. 

1779, Aug. 25. Oysterbay. Received from 
Anthony Van Nostrant twenty -three bushels 
of oats for use of His Majesty's troops (for 
which George Brindley, Esq., Commissary of 
Forage, will pay,) and six miles cartage. 

Setii Norton, Ass. Commissary. 

One of Mr. Van Nostrand's bills was partly 
written in Dutch, his vernacular : — 

Oesterbay, ye 3 October,* 1779, Een vraght 
rist gereden van Oesterbay na Jericho, voor 
Tuck, Quartermaster van de Legion, £0.13.0. 

1779, Nov. 14, Sunday. One load of hay 
to Jericho for the Legion, fetched by Bill 
Davis's son, taken by Holland, Quartermaster 
of the Legion. 

1779, Dec. 18. Oysterbay. Received from 
Anthony Van Nostrand nine hundred of straw, 
for use of His Majesty's troops. 

N. B. Five miles cartage. 

Setii Norton, Ass. Com. of Forage. 
To Geo. Brindley, Esq. , Com. of Forage. 

1780, June 23. For Granny Rinehart's 
fees, [as midwife], paid 16s. 

1780. Brought two loads of wood to Jeri- 
cho for Major Goolden's corps. 



1780, J,uly 6th. New York, Superintend- 
ent's office. Pursuant to His Excellency Sir 
William Howe's Proclamation of the 17th 
July, 1777, Permission is hereby given to 
Widow Hegeman in a market craft to Bush- 
wick, and thence to Oysterbay [with] 14 lbs. 
sugar, 3 galls, molasses, 2 galls, rum, quart, 
cwt. rice, 10 yds. calico, 1 lb. whalebone, 7 yds. 
Russel, 1 lb. tea, 1 lb. coffee, 1 lb. chocolate, 
1 bush, salt, 1 lb. pepper, 1 pr. gloves, 6 yds. 
durant ; she having complied with the direc- 
tions contained in the above mentioned proc- 
lamation. Lamb't Moore, D. S. 

To THE officers ATTENDING. 

1780, Sept. 33. Received of Isaac Bogart 
sixteen hundred of fresh hay for the use of 
His Majesty's army, carted twenty miles. 

Wm. Shepard, a. C. F. 
To Geo. Brindley, Esq., Com, of Forage. 

1780, Oct. 15. Jericho. Received of Isaac 
Bogart 238 lbs. of flour for the use of the 
17tli Dragoons, Capt. Diemar's, &c. 

Aut'r Nicholson, Quartermaster. 
Ro. Archdale, Capt. 17th Drag. 
To Dan'l Weir, Esq., Com. Geu'l, &c. 

1780, Oct. 21. Cedar Swamp. Received 
from Isaac Bogart, 7^ bushels of Indian corn 
and 3^ bushels of bran, for the use of His 

Majesty's troops. 

Sam'l Clayton, A. C. F. 

To Geo. Brindley, Esq. , Com. of Forage. 

1780, Oct. 23. Cedar Swamp. Received 

from Isaac Bogart 238 lbs. of flour, for the 

use of His Majesty's troops. 

Art'r Nicholson, Quartermaster. 

R. Archdale, Capt. 17th Drag. 

To Dan'l Wier, Esq., Com. Qen'l, &c. 

[end of van nostrand's papers.] 



1781, July 16. De Reidesel to Gen. Delan- 
cey : " I have to beg of you to let my perfect 
satisfaction and thanks be communicated, 
through the proper channel, to Capt. Youngs' 
officers and troops and Capt. Van Wyck's 
company of foot ; also to such of the Queens 
County militia as turned out, for their alert- 
ness and willingness to assist Lt. Col. Upham. 
It grieves me to be under the necessity of ex- 
cluding from this number the Huntington 
militia ; but their unwilling conduct and ab- 
solute neglect in giving any support to 
Lloyd's Neck, but too sensibly obliges me to 
it. " — See ' ' Revolutionary Incidents of Queens 
County," p. 333. 



Queens County — 3d Series. 11 

All stragglers, especially negroes, were lia- 
ble to be arrested by the British patrols. 
Hence the need of a passport like the follow- 
ing :— 



Cedar Swamp, June 10th, 1782. 
Tho bearer, a negro man, l)eing employed 
in cartiny provisions for tlie corps of Ya- 
gers, is permitted to pass to Flushing Bay 
Side unmolested. 

OcHSB, Lt. Adj't Yagers. 
O o 

Having been favored by the kind and con- 
siderate courtesy of John D. Jones with a 
copy of the " History of New York," by Judge 
Thomas Jones, we select some instances of 
outrage committed in Queens County during 
the war of the Revolution : — 

"Thomas Jones, Esq., one of the Judges 
of the Supreme Court of the Province, was 
known for his loyalty and attachment to the 
British Constitution. Yet did a quartermas- 
ter of dragoons take his horses from his 
ploughs, in the busiest season of the year, 
put them into his own wagons, these wagons 
laden with the stores of a sutler, and Jones' 
own servants obliged to drive the wagons as 
far as Southampton, 100 miles, and detained 
for three weeks. The servants were com- 
pelled to provide for themselves and horses 
the whole time, and when discharged received 
neither pay nor certificate." — Vol. ii, 89. 

"A gentleman who was present told me 
that he saw a conductor of a foraging party 
put 100 horses into a countryman's barn, and 
ordered them littered with oats in the sheaf, 
instead of straw, and fed in the same manner. 
That above 300 bushels of oats were destroyed 
in this way. That the owner in the morning 
civilly asked for pay or a certificate. Both 
were refused. He was damned for a rebel, 
and the party decamped. The name of this 
farmer was Israel Oakley, of Queens County, 
a loyal subject, and at this very time a Lieu- 
tenant in the militia by virtue of a commis- 
sion from His Majesty, granted by Gen. 
Tryon, in 1778, under the great seal of the 
Province of New York, of which he was then 
Civil Governor." — Vol. ii, 88. 

"One [Derick] Amberman, a miller, [at 
the lower part of Foster's Meadow], had sold 
some flour to a Major Stockton, of Skinner's 
Brigade, who lived in the neighborhood. 
The miller, wanting his money, applied for 
payment. This the Major looked upon as an 
affront ; therefore the next day, in company 
with a Major Crew, he went to the mill fully 



13 



Reyolt'tionary Incidents 



bent upon chastising the insolence of the 
miller, in daring to ask for the payment of a 
just debt. Upon arriving at the mill, Crew 
instantly began to horsewhip the poor miller, 
and while he was laboring under the disci- 
pline of the whip, Stockton deliberately drew 
his sword and ran him through the body, of 
which wound he instantly died. No inquisi- 
tion could be taken, the civil law was at an 
end, of course we had no Coroner. Stockton 
was, however, taken up, confined and tried 
by a Court Martial for the murder, found 
guilty, the sentence confirmed, yet, strange 
to tell, never carried into execution, and — 
what is almost incredible, yet averred as a 
fact — Gen. Clinton sent to the widow desiring 
her to join in a petition to him to pardon the 
murderer of her husband ! This she abso- 
lutely refused. The Major continued in jail 
a few weeks, was then liberated by the Gen- 
eral's order, and publicly walked the streets. 
The military scarcely looked upon it as a 
crime, at least a crime not worth puni.shing. 
Where was the offence in murdering, delib- 
erately murdering in cold blood, with malice 
prepense, an honest old miller, a loyal subject 
of his sovereign, for daring, or rather having 
the impudence to ask from an otficer of the 
army the payment of a small just debt '! 
None, said the Commander-in Chief ; none, 
said the military. Stockton was accordingly 
discharged, and again employed in His 
Majesty's service — a reward for murdering 
one of his good, peaceable and loyal sub- 
jects."— F(^?. ii, 92. 

" I have seen a conductor of wagons, iipon 
a foraging party, turn fifty horses into a loyal 
farmer's orchard, (one Isaac Lefferts, near 
Jamaica), where his apples were gathered 
and put into heaps ready for making cider, 
and though the farmer earnestly begged the 
conductor to put them into a field where the 
p isture was better, the request was insult- 
ingly refused, and the apples — which, turned 
into cider, would have produced £200 — were 
totally destroyed. Mr. Lefferts, upon remon- 
strating with the conductor against so extra- 
ordinary a conduct, was called ' a damned old 
rebel.' He had, it is true, been a Committee- 
man, but upon Gen. Howe's first proclama- 
tion, in November, 1776, he came in, submit- 
ted, and renewed his oath of allegiance. 
What confidence could be put in the procla- 
mations of Generals, when they wei*e so fla- 
grantly, unjustly and openly violated? And 



yet the proclamation, in consequencoof which 
the farmers surrendered, pledged the faith 
and honor of the Crown that every person 
availing himself of it should be protected by 
His Majesty in his life, liberty and property." 
— Vol. ii, 87. 

" I have seen sixty liorses put into a field 
of com belonging to a farmer by the name of 
[Johannes] Polhemus, about three miles 
[west] from Jamaica, and the whole abso- 
lutely destroyed, notwithstanding all his en- 
treaties to the conti-ary. The conductor 
damned him for a scoundrel, a rebel and a 
villain, and swore he would do as he pleased. 
This farmer was ever noted for his loyalty, 
in consequence of which he had been a con- 
siderable sufferer while the rebels possessed 
the Island."— TW. ii, 88. 

" Tliomas Jackson, of Oysterbay, was a 
rebel and left the Island with the rebels. 
His father was a Quaker, about seventy years 
of age, and a loj-al subject. Yet because the 
son had lived on the fatlier's farm when the 
rebellion commenced, the e.state was seized 
upon by order of the Court of Police, refu- 
gees pat upon it, the wood cut down and sold, 
and possession kept till the evacuation of 
New York in 1783."— Vol. ii, 39. 

"John Shoals, of Newtown, (as worthy, as 
honest and as steady a hn-alist as ever exist- 
ed), loaned the corporation of New York 
£1,000. Dui'ing eight years he received no 
interest. At the peace the charter was re- 
pealed and li(i lost all. So obnoxious was he 
to the rebels that upon the evacuation of New 
York he was obliged to remove with his fam- 
ily to Nova Scotia." — Vol. ii, 60. 

"John Willett, of Flushing, was a noted 
old loyalist, nearly eighty years of age, and 
had been, for opposing the rebellion, four 
months a prisoner in Connecticut, some time 
in Philadelphia, and some weeks in New 
York. He had a mortgage of £381.12, dated 
July 25, 1776, upon a lot of valuable wood- 
land of John Van Loo, who had gone off the 
Island with the rebel army. Permission was 
given to Col. Hamilton* to cut down the wood 
and carry it away and sell it for his own use. 
Not a tree was left, and the mortgaged prem- 
ises sank to a trifling value." — Vol. ii, 46. 



* Ilamilton was a man of opulent fortune, a super- 
nuniurary aid-de-cainp to Ilis Excclloncy, for wliich 
he rt'ceivi'd 10 shillings a day for doin;: nothiii};, with 
rations of all kinds for his timiUy.—Jone.<t, ii, 42. 



Queens County — 3d Sehies. 



13 



"John Sloss Hobart and Thomas Grinnel, 
many years before the rebellion, mortgaged 
Eaton's Neck to James Jauncey, a noted loy- 
alist. The mortgagors both entered into re- 
bellion, and in August, 1776, abandoned the 
Neck. A number of refugees shortly after 
took possession without any permission, cut 
down, carried off and sold in New York, for 
their own benefit, large quantities of wood, 
so that the estate became of less value than 
the sums due on the incumbrances, while the 
interest was increasing. The mortgagors ap- 
plied to be let into the possession or to have 
the twenty refugees restrained from cutting 
down, destroying and selling the wood. This 
was refused, the Governor (Robertson) say- 
ing : ' If the poor fellows had not the liberty 
of selling wood, how were they to subsist ?' " 

— Vol. ii, 47. 

" In the summer of 1779, the 17th Light 
Dragoons were again quartered at Hempstead. 
Three privates broke open a dwelling house 
in the night and plundered it of several valu- 
able effects. The family being awaked by 
the noise, a skirmish ensued, and one soldier 
was killed. The others escaped, but being 
known and sworn to by the person robbed, 
they were taken up, but the British General 
discharged them without the shadow of a 
trial ! The dead man, however, was fairly 
tried, and sentenced to be hanged in chains." 

— Vol. ii, 73. 

"Philip Kearney, Esq., a loyal refugee, 
got an order from the British Governor to 
settle on the abandoned farm of a rebel, one 
Captain Nathaniel Tom, of Flushing, but he 
was required to pay £60 yearly rent for it, 
although he had left a large estate in Jersey 
that the rebels had confiscated." — Vol. ii, 157. 

"A few weeks before the evacuation of 
New York Col. Birch sent out a party upon 
the Plains and drove in about 3,000 sheep. 
He ordered them into a field and had all of 
their ears cut off. He then gave the farmers 
notice to come in and prove their property, 
desiring each man to select his own, but if 
any one took a sheep he could not swear to 
or prove to be his property, he should be se- 
verely punished. The sheep were marked in 
the ear and nowhere else ; every farmer had 
a mark of his own, and each mark was en- 
tered on the town records. But the ears 
being off of the sheep, not a single man was 
able to prove his property. Birch thereupon 



sold the sheep, and by this piece of wicked- 
ness pocketed above £3,000." — Vol. ii, 75. 

"In the spring of 1781, three privates of 
the 3d Battalion of Delancey's Brigade left 
their quarters at Lloyd's Neck, went to a 
lonely house a small distance from Jerusalem, 
belonging to Parmenas Jackson, an honest, 
worthy, loyal Quaker, broke it open, mur- 
dered the man in the most cruel manner, 
robbed the house of £1,300 in cash and went 
off. Luckily a woman present knew one of 
the villains, and knew the corps to which 
they belonged. An express was instantly 
sent to the Colonel, the rascals were soon dis- 
covered, and the greatest part of the money 
recovered. The criminals were sent to New 
York, tried by a Court Martial, found guilty, 
sentenced to be hanged, and the sentence con- 
firmed by Gen. Clinton, But this sentence, 
just as it was, to the surprise and astonish- 
ment of most people, was never carried into 
execution. The culprits lay in jail about 
three weeks, and were then discharged upon 
paying some trifling fees to the keeper of the 
Provost." — Vol. ii, 93.* 

1779, on the night of November 6. " The 
crews of three whale boats (under one Haw- 
ley, a low-lived fellow,) broke into Judge 
Thomas Jones' house and plundered it of 
property to the amount of several hundred 
pounds. They even robbed Mrs. Jones of 
her wearing apparel and took that of two 
young ladies in the house, [one was Miss 
Floyd], the clothes upon their backs only ex- 
cepted, insulted the family, and regaling 
themselves with good old Madeira, ordered 
the Judge (and one Willett, his nephew, who 
happened to be visiting there,) to proceed 
with them. They compelled him to march 
in two nights through woods, swamps and 
morasses, and over hedges ditches and fences, 
sixty miles on foot, and sleep two days in the 
woods, without fire, victuals or drink, (a little 
mouldy cheese and a hard biscuit with a little 
water given him by the party excepted). 
They then cros.sed the Sound to Fairfield. 
After six months' captivity, he was ex- 

*Drs. James Seariiis and Benjamin TredwelPs bills 
for seventeen vii^its to Jackson, January 10 to 20, three 
dressings, three bleedings, cerat Tnrneri, gum cam- 
phor, &c., were £13, 19. 

Isaac Algar again appeared in Huntington and was 
concern'^d in robbing and beating Piatt Carle, for 
which he, with Nathaniel Parker, was hanged, Sep- 
tember 10, 1783. See Revolutionary Incidents of 
(i.ueens County, p. 199. and of Snflolk County, p. 109. 



14 



EEVOia TIONAKT INCIDENTS 



changed for Gen. Silliman. The goods were 
sold and the pi-oceeds divided among the own- 
ers and crews of the privateers." — FoZ. il, 
277, 300. 

"Again in the winter of 1778, when the 
snow lay lieavy and deep npon the ground, 
Judge Jones had twelve pair of his oxen 
(which had been hard at work in the woods 
the whole day, and were just returned,) put 
into a barrack-yard and foddered, then they 
were taken away by a party of the British 
army, put into his own carts, and loaded with 
the materials of a meeting-house which they 
had pulled down a few days before. His 
own servants were obliged to drive the carts 
as far as Jamaica, twenty miles, to provide 
for themselves and cattle, and then dis- 
charged without pay or certificate." — Vol. ii, 
89. 

" Micah Williams, living with his uncle, 
at Jerusalem, a young gentleman of fortune, 
character and loyalty, having forbid the en- 
trance of Quamino, a negro driver, with a 
number of horses, into his uncle's stack-yard, 
was abused and insulted in the grossest man- 
ner by the black rascal, who persisting in his 
design and attempting to pull down the 
fence, Williams gave him a kick or two. 
The fellow complained to King, the conduc- 
tor of the wagons and horses, and he to Arm- 
strong, the officer commanding the foraging 
party. No inquiry was made into the truth 
of the corapla,int. Williams was taken up 
and confined. Next day he was escorted, 
under a guard of soldiers, as far as Hemp- 
stead, about eight miles, and there confined 
for the night. He was the next day marched 
to Jamaica, the officer declaring his intention 
of carrying him to New York and trying him 
by a court martial. For what? For kicking 
a negro runaway in the act of committing 
a trespass. As the young gentleman ap- 
proached New York he became frightened. 
He knew the arbitrary, illegal and cruel 
judgments and decrees of courts martial, and 
got some friends to intercede with the officer 
in his behalf. With difficulty he obtained 
his discharge, but was first obliged to ask 
pardon of the officer, the conductor and the 
negro." — Vol. ii, 85 

"Joseph Rodman, a farmer, of Flushing, 
had bequeathed his property to his widow 
during life. She was an old Quaker preacher. 
Her eldest son, Thomas, a giddy youth, had 
been prevailed on to act as a Committeeman, 



and had left the Island in August, 1776, and 
died the same year, under age, childless. 
The younger son was a loyalist and a Quaker. 
The poor old widow was turned out of doors 
and obliged to be maintained by her friends. 
Rf'fugees were put in possession of her farm, 
who cut down the wood and sold it, burnt up 
the fences, ruined the orchards, and in a 
great measure destroyed the buildings." — 
Vol. ii, 38. 

" Henry Huffe, a loyal subject, near seventy 
years of age, lost a son (who was acting guide 
to the British) in a rebel skirmish in the 
Manor of Cortland. He fled to Long Island, 
his native place, (July, 1781), and when he 
applied to the British Governor for assist- 
ance, he was told he should have an asylum 
in the work-house, where idlers and vaga- 
bonds are kept at hard labor and short com- 
mons. The old man exclaimed, with tears in 
his eyes : ' Good God ! am I, after all my suf- 
ferings and loyalty, and abandoning my farm, 
household goods, grain and cattle, to be of- 
fered a refuge in a house of correction, among 
rogues and villains !' He was maintained at 
the expense of his former neighbors and a 
few relations." — Vol. ii, 158. 

"In the spring of 1779, Sir Henry Clinton 
with his suite went from New York to South- 
ampton, to review the troops quartered there 
the preceding winter. They took the middle 
road, the baggage wagons went the southern 
road and formed a junction at Richard Wil- 
lets', Islip. The escort to the wagons for 
nearly twenty miles upon the road robbed 
every farmer of as many geese, turkeys and 
other poultry as they could lay hand upon, 
with calves, lambs and pigs. They even 
entered several dwelling houses and plun- 
dered the inhabitants of their linen, stock- 
ings, hats, etc. Some of the substantial, 
reputable farmers followed as far as Willets', 
and made complaint. The General would 
not see them, and his attendants cursed theui 
for rebels, and damned them for imp>ertinent 
villains, and they returned without the least 
satisfaction." — Vol. ii, 91. 

"Joseph Baldwin, of Hempstead, had re- 
moved to Dutchess County, fifteen years be- 
fore the rebellion, leaving unsold a valuable 
lot of woodland. The wood was all cut down 
and sold by a parcel of refugees, under an 
order from the Court of Police, under pre- 
tence that the owner was a rebel, though it 
was well known to the refugees that he was 



Queens County — 3d Series. 



15 



a confirmed royalist, and would willingly 
have repaired to the Royal army ; but then 
he must have brought with him a wife and 
.seven small children, to have been starved, 
or supported by the government." — Vol. ii, 38. 

" Daniel Pine, of Hempstead, a worthy 
loyal subject, who during his life had op- 
posed the rebellion in all its stages, died 
during the war, and left the farm on which 
he lived to two infant nephews, who were 
born and resided at Fishkill. The Court of 
Police deemed them rebels, the estate was 
seized upon and given by Phillip John Liv- 
ingston, manager of rebel estates, to some 
refugees, who injured the house, sold the 
wood, burnt the fences, and ruined the 
fann." — Vol. ii, 39. 

" In the spring of 1779, one Green Carryer, 
an Irish refugee from Albany, to ingratiate 
himself with the British authorities, com- 
plained to Col. Birch, at Hempstead, of two 
loyal farmers at Oysterbay, one of whom was 
a trooper, the other a lieutenant in the mili- 
tia, for hoarding corn. Birch sent a quarter- 
master with forty men and six wagons to 
fetch away the corn, but so as not to reach 
the house till evening. That night all the 
poultry houses in the neighborhood were 
broken open, geese, turkeys, fowls, ducks, 
guinea hens, sheep, lambs, calves and pigs 
were plundered and filled two wagons. Four 
wagons held all the hoarded corn, which in 
fact was no more than what all farmers com 
monly reserve for use on the farm." — Vol. 
i, 323. 

"Thomas Smith, Esq., of Oysterbay, was 
a gentleman long in the commission of the 
peace, of the utmost veracity and in affluent 
circumstances. Living adjoining the Sound, 
so many attempts were made by the rebels 
from New England to take him ofE, that they 
obliged him to remove from home, and for 
more than four years before the close of the 
war he lodged every night with some friend 
or acquaintance, making it a rule never to 
sleep two nights running at one house. By 
this means he escaped their vigilance. His 
house was, however, twice broken open, 
plundered and robbed, his wife insulted, his 
daughters abused and his sons carried off 
prisoners to Connecticut." — Vol. i, 268; ii, 158. 

" In the spring of 1780 the British garri- 
sons of Oysterbay, Huntington and Brook 
Haven (part of Delancey's Brigade) were 
withdrawn and the works demolished, and 



the troops removed to the neighborhood of 
New York. Then Connecticut and New Jer- 
sey fitted out whale boats which infested the 
coasts of Long Island and plundered the in- 
habitants." — Vol. ii, 299. 

" Capt. Woolley, of the militia, about three 
miles from Jamaica, had his house broken 
open, was robbed of £700 in cash, the furni- 
ture of his house, of several slaves, and was 
carried prisoner to Connecticut." — Vol. i, 268. 

"Richard Townsend, Esq., was robbed of 
a large store of goods and carried prisoner 
into New England."— Ft>?. i, 268. 

"Judge Thomas Jones had his house 
broken open, completely plundered, and him- 
self carried into Connecticut. Miss Floyd, a 
visitor, was also robbed of everything she 
had. One Chichester acted as a guide. He 
with six others was caught, taken to New 
York, put in the Provost, but finally dis- 
charged." — Vol. i, 294. 

"John Townsend, Esq., of Oysterbay, was 
served in the same manner, with this addi- 
tion, that they almost destroyed his house, a 
genteel mansion." — Vol. i, 268. 

" William Nicoll, Esq., of Suffolk County, 
was twice plundered ; Col. Richard Floyd 
was twice plundered, his cattle, sheep and 
several slaves carried off. Col. Benjamin 
Floyd was robbed and carried to Connecticut, 
and while released on parole had his house 
again broken open in the dead of night by a 
party from New England, who took away his 
furniture and robbed him of £1,000 in cash." 
— Vol. i, 268. 

"Mr. Seaton, an Englishman, was plun- 
dered by the same party, who took away his 
furniture and stript his wife and three daugh- 
ters of the very clothes upon their backs." — 
Vol. i, 269. 

•'John Hewlett, Esq., of Oysterbay, had 
his house broken open and was himself car- 
ried to Pokeepsie and lodged in jail for five 
months." — Vol. i, 269. 

"Major Parker and Major Hudson were 
also plundered and carried to Connecticut." 

"Judge Thomas Jones had liis cattle taken 
by the rebels in August, 1776, but they were 
recovered by the British at Brooklyn after 
the battle, and consumed by the soldiers, and 
though he proved his property and exhibited 
vouchers, Daniel Chamier, Commissary Gen- 
eral, would not pay him for them." — Vol. 
i, 117. 



16 



Revolutionary Incidents 



" Dr. Benjamin Tredwell, of North Side, a 
gentleman of fortune and character, and of 
one of the first families on the Island, a warm 
and steady loyalist, was fond of horses and 
loved the sports of the turf. Col. Birch, of 
the 17th Dragoons, in one of his rides acci- 
dentally met on the road this Dr. Tredwell, 
mounted on a noble horse, descendant of the 
famous ' Wildair,' and worth one hundred 
and fifty guineas. Birch ordered him to dis- 
mount and unsaddle. The Doctor told the 
Colonel who he was, but it had no effect. 
Birch then bid his servant unsaddle the horse 
and give the saddle to the Doctor to carry 
home on his own back and be damned. He 
led away the horse and told the Doctor to be 
thankful that the saddle too wasn't taken as 
well as the horse. On the Doctor's applica- 
tion at Headquarters, he was charged with 
being a rebel and threatened with the Pro- 
vost."— FoZ. i, 114 

"In May, 1781, a British guard ship lay 
at the Two Brothers, a mile below White- 
stone. Four whale boats came out from the 
main shore, made the crew presents of poul- 
try, lamb, veal, vegetables, &c. , and in re- 
turn were regaled with grog, wine and punch. 
In the evening those whale boats went direct 
to Thomas Hicks', broke open his house, 
robbed him of several hundred pounds in 
cash, plate, linen, library, and as much fur- 
niture as the boats could contain, and re- 
turned to New Rochelle. As they passed the 
guard ship on their return, they gave three 
cheers, which the ship cordially returned !" — 
Vol. i, 304. 

The winter of 1779-80 was uniformly dry 
and cold, and the severest ever known in 
the middle Colonies. The snow, deep and 
drifted, began to fall about November 10, and 
continued almost every day till the middle of 
March. In the woods it lay at least four 
feet upon a level. It was with the utmost 
difficulty that the farmers got their wood. 
The springs were low. It was called the 
"Canada winter." — Janes, i, 320. 

In 1780 David Colden, of Flushing, had a 
stall-fed ox, which he intended killing, at 
New Year's, for his own use. He had him 
every day, at sunset, put into his barn, and 
the doors secured with padlocks and iron 
bars ; but one night the fastenings were 
broken open and the ox killed, cut up and 
carried away, only the skin and entrails left. 
— Jonex, i, 3G3. 



1780, July. Gen. Robertson proclaimed 
that the farmers should bring half their fresh 
hay to the hay-yard, and the rest should re- 
main untouched, with all the salt hay, to the 
owners. But the Commissaries took all the 
fresh and half the salt hay, and no redress 
was to be had. If Providence had not fa- 
vored the country with one of the mildest 
winters (1780-1) perhaps ever known in 
America, not a horse nor a horned beast 
could have survived the month of March, 
Nay, had the winter been as severe as the 
preceding one, all the hogs and sheep upon 
the Island must have starved. Among those 
who complained of this breach of faith was 
Micajah Townsend, (a venerable man of over 
eighty years, of fair character and opulent 
fortune, who had served His Majesty as a 
captain of militia in his younger days), for 
which he was taken up, escorted under a 
guard of soldiers from his own house to 
Hempstead, at least twelve miles, and there 
detained close prisoner for several days. — 
Jones, i, 367 ; ii, 28. 

Queens County women married to British 
subjects: — 1783, August 11, Miss Woolsey, 
daughter of Benjamin Woolsey, deceased, to 
Mr. Palmer, of 54th Regiment ; Jemima 
Townsend to Capt. Fraser ; Jane, daughter 
of Abram Rapelye, to William Garden. 

On a pane of glass of the Bragaw home- 
stead, cut with a diamond, is the name of 
Finlay McKay, an officer of the Scotch Fusi- 
leer Guards, who were quartered at Newtown 
during the Revolution. 



During the Revolutionary war, the farmers 
on Cow Neck (as Manhasset was then called) 
suffered many hardships by having soldiers 
billeted in their houses, having their teams 
taken at the pleasure of the British to cart 
warlike stores, and their woodland cut off. 
Many of their hardships are now forgotten. 
Peter Onderdonk, of Flower Hill, wrote down 
in an old account book the following memo- 
randa : — 

Sept. 14, 1776. My wagon and horses en- 
tered the King's service. Nov. 21, my son 
Andrew, who had been taken as a driver, re- 
turned home sick from the British camp, 
leaving my wagon and horses. Oct. 26, Jon- 
athan Dix, collector of forage, pressed a mare 
from me to go in His Majesty's service. 



1779, April 12. Be it remembered that 

eighteen Canadian Frenchmen were billeted 

on me in order to cut all the wood belonging 

to William Cornwell and Richard Sands. 

" When tyranny holds up its head, 
Then glorious liberty is fled 1" 

The above Frenchmen went away. May 14, 
but returned again in parties for a week 
afterwards, and then quit, not cutting Rich- 
ard Sands' woods. Dec. 23, I had Joseph 
Thome's order to bring the Hessian guard 
one and a quarter cords of wood, being two 
sled loads. 

1780, July 30. Twelve loads of wood were 
cut and carted out of my woods by order of 
Robert Sutton, without asking me liberty. 

1781, Sept. 24. Hope Mills (a tory from 
Jamaica) is debtor to me for two loads of hay 
and one pair of wagon sides which he took 
from me for the King. 

1782, Nov. 13. Capt. Westerhagen came 
here with his company to quarters, (a German 
hireling), and with violence drove my sick 
daughter Elizabeth and Jannetie Rapalye out 
of their sick beds. Ingratitude ! He quit 
his quarters here January 7, 1783 — a German 
hireling ! 

1783, Jan. 17. Ensign Wagner came here 
to quarter with his guard. He left February 
28 — a hireling ! 

Edward Thorne is debtor to me (on account 
of the damage I sustained by his neglect of 
furnishing the troops with wood who were 
quartered at William Dodge's) to cutting 
forty walnut saplings and upwards of one 
hundred chestnut rails, value £20. The above 
damage I received from the troops of Capt. 
De Westerhagen and Ensign Wagner, done 
in eleven weeks ; some of the wood was car- 
ried to William Salt's by his soldiers. This 
is besides the wood burnt at my house by 
Capt. Westerhagen, eighty loads, value £60. 



1781, May 12. "Ille quern requiris est in- 
ventus. " This seems to be a message from a 
friendly W^hig, sent by a spy, and written in 
Latin with the hope that if detected it might 
not be understood. The purport of it is : 
" The man you seek is found." 

1781, Aug. 30. Robert Comely, Jr., left 
Philadelphia several years ago, and is now at 
Lloyd's Neck as a wood-cutter on other men's 
land, for the use of the British army. He 



Qtteens County— 2d Series. 17 

has also been a sutler for selling strong drink 
for army use. 

1781, Nov. 29. Messrs. McFarren and 
Thomas Grinnel report that Major Davis and 
Capt. Grinnel, who went to Long Island to 
fetch clothing for the army of New York 
State, were captured on Friday last by the 
British and carried into New York city. 

1782, Jan. 28. Obadiah Wright has a per- 
mit from Clinton to bring off from Long 
Island goods for the use of this State to the 
amount of £10,000, part in goods, part in 
specie, to the Commissioners in Pokeepsie. 

1782, Nov. 19. Gov. Clinton (at the re- 
quest of Gen. Washington) desires Major 
Hendrick WyckofE to visit Long Island, under 
pretence of trade, to spy the British for us, 
their numbers, commanders, stations, their 
winter arrangements, &c. 

1782, Nov. 22. Gov. Clinton wishes Capt. 
John Grinnel to visit Long Island to spy the 
British forces. "It is a disagreeable busi- 
ness." 

A whale-boat's crew came to the house of 
William (now Thomas) Jones, plundered it 
and carried off two slaves, Robin and Dick. 
Dick, being old, was left at Blue Point ; 
Robin was sold on the Main, and it was a 
long time before he returned home. 

A whale-boat's crew once came within one 
hundred rods of Capt. David Jones' house, 
(since Meinell's), when Jones fired a field- 
piece, which he kept for his company, on 
them. They returned the fire with small 
arms, but Jones beat them off. This same 
crew went next day to Rockaway, got embar- 
rassed in the creeks, and were taken by a 
company of militia. 



The Services of Huntington in Queens 
County. 

The farmers of Huntington also were com- 
pelled by the British authorities to contribute 
largely of their labor and produce to the sup- 
port of the troops in Queens County. We 
give a few instances out of a great many: 

1776, Aug. By order of John Hewlett, 
Esq., Elizabeth Wood sent a pair of oxen to 
Head Quarters, for the use of Government. 
Never returned nor paid for. 

1776, Sept. 1. Ten cattle were driven to 
Newtown for the use of His Majesty's troops, 
and received by the Quartermaster then pres- 
ent. Sept. 16, a pair of cattle from Piatt 



18 



RevoI;I:tionary Incidents 



Carll and another from Timothy Carll were 
driven, by Gen. Delancey's orders, to New- 
town. Never paid for. 

1776, Sept. Henry Downing and James 
Lefford took from Jonas Rogers a span of 
horses and liarness for His Majesty's service. 
Never returned nor paid for. 

177G, Sept. 4. Isaac Dennis' wagon and 
horses were prest into Government service by 
Joshua Mills, who was appointed to take 
horses and wagons. Not paid for. Two 
horses and driver of Jonathan Jarvis were 
prest into Government service (Gen. Cleave- 
land) by John Dunbar, who took other horses 
also. Never returned, and no pay. 

1776, Sept. Sarah Scudder says: "There 
came three men to my door with Joseph Ben- 
nett's mare, taken for Col. Birch's service 
and never paid for. I asked their names, and 
one of them replied, ' My name is William 
Burns,' and the other two men afterwards 
proved to be Micah Burns and Robert Mor- 
rell." 

1776, Sept. 4. John Dunbar took two 
horses of Z. Piatt, and a driver, to Newtown. 
The horses were lost and the driver returned. 
Piatt sent a careful man, but could not find 
them. 

1776, Sept. Joshua Mills, wagon-master, 
and John Dunbar, inhabitants of Jamaica, 
took a mare from N. Harrison and put her 
into Government service. 

1776, Sept. 4. John Dunbar prest into 
Government service a horse of E. Smith, 
which was entered in Capt. Beaman's book. 
The horse was never returned, but he re- 
ceived its wages (£3, 18) to Sept. 30, from 
Capt. Dickson. 

1776, Oct. David Resco's team was prest, 
by order of Dr. Johnson, under Col. Birch, 
of the 17th Dragoons, to carry fowls or poul- 
try to Flushing. 

1776, Oct. 6. William and Micah Burns, 
by order of Col. Birch, took two horses from 
Henry Smith. 



1776, Nov. 5. Prest from Nathan Valen- 
tine into His Majesty's service, by Capt. 
Thomas Woolley, by order of Major Menzies, 
of Gen. Delancey's Regiment, two horses, 
sent to Hell Gate ; also from Jonathan Jarvis 
three horses and a saddle, taken to White- 
stone ferry and never returned ; and Nov. 6, 
from Jo.seph White, a very valuable saddle 



horse, lost in the service of Government. 
No pay. 

1776, Nov. 22. Received of Moses Rolph 
one wagon load of English hay, weighing 
1000 lbs., for His Majesty's magazine, for 
which John Morrison, Commissary, will pay 
you, as witness my hand. 

Barak Snethen.* 

1776, Nov. 26. Capt. Thomas Woolley 
took Silas Wickes' wagon, horses and driver, 
to carry troops eastward to press teams. 

1777, May. Michael Bedell carted baggage 
for Delancey's troops, 2d Battalion, to Hal- 
let's Cove, by order of Col. Brewerton. 

1777, June 20. A horse was prest from 
Henry Titus, by order of Col. Fanning, to 
carry baggage to Hell Gate. Never returned. 

1777, Aug. 6. A horse and saddle were 
prest from Phillip Skidmore into His Majes- 
ty's service, by John Dunbar, of Newtown, 
and never returned nor paid for. 

1777, Dec. N. H. carted baggage for the 
troops to the west end of the Plains, by order 
of Major Green, of Delancey's Battalion. 

1777, Dec. 20. Capt. [Mark] Kerr, of De- 
lancey's 1st Battalion, took into Government 
service Lemuel Carll's mare, and kept her 
nine months, and no pay. Carll went to 
Flushing three times before he got her, and 
then gave Capt. Barent Roorback six guineas 
to let him have her again. 

1778, Aug. 3. Long Swamp. Received 
100 weight of hay and nine bushels oatsf 
from Joel Smith, for one troop of liight 
Dragoons, on His Majesty's service. 

Benjamin Tkedwell,:}: Q. M. 
of H. L. D., Q. Co. M. 

1778, Aug. 3. Long Swamp. I have re- 
ceived from Phillip Smith two bushels corn,f 
for the use of one troop of Light Dragoons, 
on His Majesty's service. 

D. Lent, Qr. Mast, 
of N. Y. L. D., Q. Co. M. 

1780, Jan. 12. J. Jarvis' ox-team was prest 
to cart baggage to Flushing for the Hessiau 
Regiment, by order of Gen. Leland. 

1780, Jan. A load of fresh hay (8.^ cwt.) 
was taken from Joliu Oakley, by order of 
Jacob Jackson, Jerusalem, Collector of For- 
age. 

* Lived at Glen Cove. 

t This grain was used for baiting the horses, while 
riding through the county. 

t Father of Thomas Trcdwell, Asscniblyuiau, of 
Hempstead. 



1780, March 22. This certifies that Oba- 
diah Piatt's wagon and horses have been em- 
ployed three days to carry the baggage of the 
Prince of Wales' American Regiment from 
Lloyd's Neck to Flushing Fly. 

John Garden,* Major. 
1780, July 23. Received of P. Smith, for 
the use of Capt. Whitehead's troop of Light 
Dragoons, on His Majesty's service, two bush- 
els Indian corn and eighteen meals of victuals. 
Cornelius Rapelye, ^ 
^ Qr. Mas., Q. Co. M. 

1780, July 31. Received of John Ketcham 
rations for fourteen horses, one day, of Capt. 
Hewlett's troop of Queens County Militia. 
Stephen Hewlett, 
^ Captain Q. Co. M. 

1780, Aug. 21. Huntington South. Re- 
ceived from George Norton 120 lbs. oats, for 
the use of my troops on duty to the east part 
of Long Island, commanded by Col. Simcoe. 
Never paid for. 

Stephen Hewlett, Captain. 
1780, Sept. 23. Jamaica. I certify that 
eight wagons (four ox-teams) were employed 
two days in carrying the sick of the 2d Bat- 
talion Light Infantry from Huntington to Ja- 
maica. Thomas Armstrong, Maj. Com't. 
R. Abercrombie, 1st Capt. 

1780, Nov. 21. N. H. carted hay to Her- 
ricks. 

"^ 1780, Dec. Capt. Israel Youngs, Deputy 
Superintendent of Forage, took a load of salt 
hay from Joseph White ; Nov. 21, he took 
a load of English hay. 

y/ 1781, June. When Colonel Ludlow left 
Lloyd's Neck, Captain Lester prest horses, 
wagon and driver from John Buffit, to carry 
the baggage to Flushing. 

1781, Nov. 12. Cold Spring. Received 
of Richard Conklin fourteen rations of hay 
for the use of the Queens County Brigade 
horses now employed carting forage for the 
Commissary General. 

>^ Isaac Youngs, Supt. of Forage. 

To George Brinley, Esq. 
1781, Dec. 10. To John Hewlett, Superin- 
tendent of Forage. I certify that there have 
been eight horses of the Queens County Bri- 
gade (now employed carting forage for the 
Commanding General) rationed one night on 
English hay belonging to Samuel Lewis. 
Peter Walters. 

* Carden died at Charleston, 1782. 



Queens County — 2d Series. 19 

1782, Feb. 6. I certify that seventeen 
horses of the Queens County Brigade, now 
employed carting forage for the Commissary 
General, have been rationed one night on salt 
hay of D. Rusco. 

John Hewi,ett, Supt. of Forage. 
To George Brinley. 

1783, Feb. 21. East Woods. This is to 
certify that Jasper Kellum brought a load of 
baggage for the Corps of Guides and Pioneers 
from Long Swamp to East Woods, six miles. 

Jonathan Williams, Captain. 



Colonel Tarlton at Jericho. 

1777, Nov. Zophar Piatt was prest, with 
his ox-team, by Major Cochran, to carry a 
load of boards to Tarlton's quarters at Jeri- 
cho. He also took forty pounds of butter, 
without giving a receipt or pay. Job Sam- 
mis was employed one day in carting poultry 
to Jericho by Tarlton's orders. 

1778, Nov. 24. Lieut. -Col. Cochran took 
from Henry Smith six geese and two dozen 
fowls and twenty pounds of butter, and from 
E. Gillet a cheese and fourteen pounds of 
butter. 

1778, Dec. 10. Quartermaster Davis took 
504 feet of boards from Solomon Ketcham 
and 400 feet from S. Saiaunis, and carted 
them to Jericho. 

1778, Dec. 23. Tarlton's troops, on their 
march from Smithtown to Jericho, took four 
fat hogs from Jeremiah Ruland and three 
from Zebulon Buffet. Daniel Blatchly had 
bought five dozen and ten fowls to carry to 
New York market for Christmas. They 
were taken from him by Tarlton's orders, 
also two barrels of cider. 

1779, Oct. 7. Received of James Oakley a 
small heifer of 248 pounds weight, for the 
u^e of the sick of the Provincial cavalry. 

John Tuck, Qr. Mas. Brit. Legion.^ 
Banastre Tarlton, Lt. Col. 

1779, Oct. 20. Tarlton, being out on a 
party of pleasure and grousing, came to Tim- 
othy Carll's house and in person took a cow 
out of his pasture and killed her for his 
troops. No pay. 

1780, March 5. Received of Nehemiah 

Whitman five bushels oats for the use of the 

2d Battalion Jersey Volunteers stationed at 

Jericho. 

Geo. Lambert, Lt. & acting Qr. Mas. * 

John Colden, 2d Major. 



20 



Revolutionary Incidents 



1780, March 5. Jericho. These certify 
that P. Smith's and E. Hart's wagons were 
employed one day in collecting forage for the 
2d Battalion Jersey Volunteers. 

John Antill, 1st Major. 

1780, March 8. Received of S. Oakley 10 
bushels corn, 12 bushels oats, 3 cwt. fresh 
hay, and 25 cwt. Plain hay, for the use of 
the 2d Battalion Jersey Volunteers, stationed 
at Jericho. John Golden, 2d Major. 

To Isaac Brush, Sir : If you can get me 
a good quarter of veal, or a good pig, or a 
half-dozen good chickens amongst your com 
pany, pray do it, for I cannot live on salt 
meat every day, and you will oblige. 
Sir, yours to serve, 

Cor's Van Horne. 



Colonel Simcoe at Oysterbat. 
Col. Simcoe, of the Queens Rangers, had 
his quarters at Oysterbay, 1778, '79 and '80. 
He drew his supplies freely from Hunting- 
ton, and left many bills unpaid. 

1778, Dec. 30. Capt. Mc«ill took from off 
David Conklin's barn fifty boards. They 
were carried to Oysterbay to construct sol- 
diers' barracks. 

1779, Jan. 3. He took from Israel Wood 
115 pine boards, and January 16 he carried 
away 100 more. 

1779, Jan. 3. Simcoe sent a party and ript 
from Stephen Kelsey's barn ninety five al- 
most new white pine boards, and also took 
some new ones in a pile. These Kelsey had 
to cart to Oysterbay. They also took a glass 
window, turnips and potatoes. In April they 
carried off half a ton of English hay ; and 
August 19, ten bushels oats were delivered 
to the same party, commanded by Spencer 
and Broadstreet. 

1779, Jan. 23. Zophar Piatt was prest, 
with his sled, one day, to carry boards to 
Oysterbay. 

1779, March 17. Taken from Selah Carll, 
by Quartermaster Moffet, of Simcoe's regi- 
ment, a new saddle, circingle, eight bushels 
oats and two bags. No pay. 

1779, April. Simon Fleet entertained Sim- 
coe and his officers and waiters better than 
two days, and kept twenty horses on good 
keeping, and charged £5. Simcoe left him 
.only |2. 



1779, May. Simcoe sent his men and im- 
pressed from Jonas Rogers a wagon, horses 
and driver to cart wood for Capt. Thomas, 
and kept them in his service twelve days, for 
which no pay was received. 

1779, May 11. John Hendrickson was im- 
pressed five days, to cart wood to Oysterbay, 
by order of Capt. Thomas, under Simcoe. 

1779. One Sunday in August, twenty-six 
bushels of oats were taken from Solomon 
Ketcham, which he was obliged to cart six 
miles, to Oysterbay, for Simcoe. 

1779. Thomas Conklin carted a load of 
hay to Oysterbay, by order of Simcoe. An 
ox-team was employed four days in carrying 
Simcoe's baggage to Harlem. August 19, 
thirty bushels oats were carted to Oysterbay. 



Jamaica. 

1777, Nov. 20. Josiah Rogers' ox-team 
was prest to carry baggage for Col. Cruger, 
of Gen. Delancey's Regiment, to Jamaica, 
three days. 

1777. From Nathan Piatt was taken four 
hundred feet of boards, by Thomas Van 
Wyck, and carried to Jamaica. 

1777, Nov. Job Sammis carted baggage to 
Jamaica, by order (as said) of Col. Brewerton. 

1778, Sept. Israel Carll's ox-team was em- 
ployed four days in carting Gen. Tryou's bag- 
gage to Jamaica. 

1779, Thomas Conklin, by order of Col. 
Richard Hewlett, went to Jamaica after pro- 
visions. 

1780, Sept. Ichabod Jarvis was three days 
carting baggage to Jamaica, commanded by 
Col. Abercrombie. 

1780, Sept. 15. Jonathan Jarvis carted 
baggage foe Col. Abercrombie, of the Light 
Infantry, to Jamaica. 

1780, Nov. 17. Herricks. This may cer- 
tify that Jonathan Kelsey has delivered eight 
cwt. of Plain hay for the use of Col.Wonnb's 
troop, which Mr. John Cutler will give re- 
ceipt for. John Knight, Ass't Com'y. 

1781. John Carman carted baggage for 
Col. Ludlow, from Lloyd's Neck to Jamaica. 

1781, Dec. 17. Office of Police, Jamaica. 
The Trustees of the township of Huntington 
are hereby authorized to raise on the town 
£176 in addition to the poor-rate, it being the 
sum i)aid by composition for labor in digging 



Queens County— 2d Series. 



21 



a wsll for the garrison at Lloyd's Neck, un- 
der direction of Lt. Col. Upham. 

George D. Ludlow, Sup't. 
1782, April 26. I certify that M. Heart; and 
Z. Rogers, with two wagons and horses, were 
employed transporting provisions from Ja- 
maica to Lloyd's Neck, for the use of the 
King's troops at this post, April 25 and 26. 

J. Upham, Lt. Col. Commandant, &c. 
To Peter Paumier, Esq., 

D. Com'y Qen'l. 

1782, June 1. To Brook Watson, Esq., 
Commissary General : These certify that 
Whitehead Gildersleeve has been employed 
two days, with his wagon and horses, in re- 
moving provisions from Jamaica to Lloyd's 
Ne'ck, for the use of His Majesty's troops 

^here. Thomas Cutler, 

r Capt. of Volunteers of New England. 

Referred to the Wagon Master General, 

August 14th, 1783, by Gregory Townsend, 

President of the Board of Claims. 

1783, Oct. 1. I certify that T. Conklin 
was employed three days, with his wagon 
and horses, in removing one family from 
Lloyd's Neck to Jamaica. 

B. Thompson, Lt. Col. 
Commanding King's A. Dragoons. 
To Brook Watson, Esq. 

1782, Dec. Jonathan Brush's spaa of 
horses, wagon and driver carted baggage to 
Jamaica, by order of Sergt. Sackett, of Col. 
Thompson's Regiment. 



Extracts from Gaine's and Rivington's 
Newspapers. 
1776, Dec. 3. David Colden, Flushing, 
offers for sale a span of horses for £60. 

1776, Dec. 9. For sale, by Robert Crom- 
meline, (for no fault, only he won't live in 
the country), a negro man, a very handy fel- 
low at painting, glazing and house- work. 

1777, Jan. 6. Five Dollars reward. Ran 
away from Waters Smith, Newtown, (Dec. 
23), a negro man. Jack, of yellowish com- 
plexion, bushy hair, and aged thirty. — Oaine. 

1777, Feb. 3. Went off Sunday from his 
master, Archibald Hamilton, late Captain 
31st Regiment, a negro, CufEy, a short, thick- 
set fellow. If he applies to any officer to 
serve him, he is requested to secure him. If 
any other secures him, two guineas reward. — 
Oaine. 



nil, March 24. Wanted, an overseer 
(with a wife capable of managing the female 
business) for a large farm, thirty miles from 
the Ferry, southside of Long Island. — Oaine. 
1777, March 31. To be sold, a quantity of 
good whale oil, by Samuel Way, of Hemp- 
stead. — Oaine. 

1777, March 31. Wanted, in a gentleman's 
family on Long Island, a woman capable of 
teaching his daughters reading, writing and 
needlework. Apply to Rev. Mr. Inglis, New 
York. — Oaine. 

1777, March 31. To let, a small house, in 
a pleasant situation, and two genteel rooms, 
on the road from the Ferry to Newtown, Jo- 
seph Woodward living thereon. 

1777, March 31. To let, the farm at Ja- 
maica occupied by Alexander Wallace, 25 
acres of good land, will mow a good burthen 
of grass, young orchard, &c. Apply to Wa- 
ters Smith, Newtown. 

1777, April 14. Died lately, in Newtown, 
James Emmot, who practiced law many years 
in New York, with unblemished character. 

1777, April 28. Handsome Reward. Lost, 
some time ago, between Flushing and New 
York, a box containing prints of different 
sorts. 

1777, May 12. To let, a farm of over 200 
acres, (36 of wood), north side of Hempstead 
Plains. 

1777, May 12. Died lately, in Newtown, 
the wife of Dr. Richard Bailey, much be- 
loved by all her acquaintance. 

1777, June 2. Found, last Friday week, a 
bundle of dry goods, on the road from the 
Ferry to Jamaica. Apply to the printer. 

1777, June 4. Lost, May 20, going through 
Jamaica, a black leather pocket-book, with a 
strap and " Thos. Danlap" in gilt letters on 
the outside. In it were two half-Joes and 
some small money, which the finder is wel- 
come to, and two dollars reward, by bringing 
the book and papers to Major Alexander 
Campbell, in Jamaica. 

1777, June 30. Board and lodging wanted 
in Long Island by three single gentlemen. 
They expect only plain victuals and will give 
no trouble. A. Bishop, New York. 

1777, July 21. Five Dollars Reward. Ran 
away from Nicholas Ogden, Long Island, 5th 
instant, a negro lad, Duke, or changed to 
Dick, aged 20. He had on a white swan- 
skin double-breasted jacket, white drilling 



h. 



22 



Revolutionary Incidents 



breeches, tow-cloth shirt, blue and white 
stockings. 

1777, July 28. Wanted, twenty or thirty 
men to work, on Long Island, to make beef- 
barrel staves, the price to be agreed for by 
the thousand and received on the spot. A 
generous price given to loyal subjects. 

J. Saunders, Inspector of Staves. 

1777, Aug. 18. Eight Dollars Reward. 
Ran away from Abram Lent, Newtown, 14th 
instant, a negro man, Wan, this country 
born, aged twenty-four. He has a large scar 
in his forehead and lip. 

1777, Sept. 8. I, Benjamin Carpenter, of 
Jamaica, butcher, August 22, beat Joseph 
French, Esq., when his hands were held. 1 
am sorry for it, and will publish this ac- 
knowledgment two weeks in the papers, and 
read it at the General Muster at the head of 
each company of Jamaica militia, and will 
pay £5 currency to the Vestry for the use of 
the poor. 

1777, Sept. 15. Ten Dollars Reward. Ran 
away, February last, from Abram Lent, New- 
town, a negro man, Dick, born in Bermuda, 
yellowish complexion, and has lost his left 
eye. 

1777, Oct. 6. William Prince, Flushing, 
has for sale a large collection of fruit trees, 
English cherries, all sorts ; peaches, nectar- 
ines, apricots, apple, pear, plum and quince 
trees ; filbert and Barcelona nut trees, the 
Illinois and Madeira-nut tree, blackwalnut 
and butternut, American medlar or persim- 
mon tree, fig trees, many sorts ; black, white 
and English mulberry trees ; red, white and 
black raspberries and currants ; gooseberries 
and grapes, many sorts ; a great variety of 
strawberry vines ; monthly roses and a great 
variety of others ; most kinds of American 
shrubs not here mentioned. Any gentleman 
who has a mind to see a catalogue may have 
any number at Gaine's or Rivington's. Also 
a large number of the Newtown and Spitzen- 
berg apple trees, fit for sending to England 
or elsewhere. Orders left at Gaine's or on 
board the Flushing boat, near Fly Market 
Ferry .stairs, Oliver Thorne, now master. 

1777, Oct. 27. To be sold at the New Lots, 
November 6, or at private sale, by Isaac Og- 
den, Jamaica, a two and a three year old filly, 
well matched and dark bay. Their sire is 
Nathaniel Herd's " Wilkes." Also a yearling 
colt and a breeding mare with a foal by her 
side, the two last from the noted " Figure." 



1777, Nov. 17. To be sold at vendue, 24th 
instant, at the house of Ann Betts, adminis- 
tratrix, eight miles from the Ferry, on the 
Jamaica road, a part of the moveable estate of 
late Thomas Betts, horses, cows, hogs, farm- 
ing utensils and household furniture. 

1778, Jan. 5. James Leonard and one Lewis 
were loaded, December 10, at Hempstead 
Harbor, with wood, for New York, by John 
Monfort and David Laton, and have not since 
been heard of. If they don't return in four- 
teen days, as promised, means will be taken 
to bring them to j ustice. 

1778, January 15. Twenty shillings ster- 
ling reward. Deserted, Enos Blakely, of 
Connecticut, aged 24, from Capt. P. Bailey's 
"detachment of Royal Fencible Americans, at 
New York, and re-enlisted in Capt. Gal- 
braith's company, at Newtown, and absconded 
January 13. 

1778, Jan. 19. Thomas Brooks, of Leeds, 
England, married, at Newtown, Elizabeth 
Sarly, of New York. 

1778, Feb. 9. Amos Underbill offers a rea- 
sonable reward for a lee- board that broke 
loose and drifted away, 2d instant, from the 
" Pembroke," in Hellgate. 

1778, Feb. 16. Died, at Flushing, 10th 
instant, of small pox, taken by inoculation, 
aged 47, Susanna, wife of Hon. Samuel Cor- 
nell, a refugee from Newbern. Interred, 
12th, in the parish church. The husband 
died Thursday, [Gaine, Jan. 18, 1781], a gen- 
tleman of fortune and probity, member of 
His Majesty's Council of North Carolina, 
leaving five daughters. 

1778, March 16. For sale, April a, the 
dwelling house of James Burling, in the 
townspot of Flushing, forty rods from the 
landing, also plate and furniture. 

1778, March 16. For sale, a farm of 150 
acres, a quarter mile south of the townspot, 
Jamaica, and 50 acres of salt meadow on 
Long Neck. Apply to Amos Denton, John 
and Samuel Skidmore, executors. 

1778, April 6. Samuel Carman, at Fort 
Neck, found concealed upon the beach oppo- 
site Fort Neck a hogshead nearly full of rum, 
supposed to be part of the cargo of Capt. 
McDowell, cast away in November. 

1778, April 20. Four Dollars Reward. 
Ran away (7th instant) from Waters Smith, 
Newtown, a negro wench aged thirty-four. 
She had on a striped linsey short gown and 
petticoat, a scar under one eye, supiwsed to 



Queens County— 2d Serieb. 



S3 



be lurking in one of the negro houses in New 
York. 

1778, May 30. It is requested (to prevent 
further trouble) that the oflBLcer who was 
lately at Mr. Burroughs', Newtown, with a 
young bay mare marked T. M. No. 35, on 
her back, will send her directly to Lieut. 
Murray, Brooklyn Ferry, as she is his prop- 
erty. 

1778, June 27. Wanted, a young lad who 
is a good accomptant and can be well recom- 
mended. Enquire at Mr. Robert Morrell's, 
Flushing. 

1778, Aug. 8. Suitable reward. Lost, on 
the road between Jamaica and Flushing, a 
silver watch gilt, "James Duncan" on a sil- 
ver slide, two steel seals and chain. 

1778, August 19. To be sold, a bay horse, 
fifteen hands high, performs his actions well, 
price £40. To be seen at Mr. Vanderbilt's, 
Flushing. 

1778, Aug. 31. One guinea reward. Lost, 
some time since, between Brooklyn Ferry and 
Newtown, a small bundle of lace that had 
been worn some time. 

1778, Sept. 7. Found, 3d inst., between 
Bedford and Newtown, a gold watch. Apply 
to the Quartermaster of the 2d Battalion of 
Light Infantry, at Bedford. 

1778, Sept. 9. Edward Titus, of Newtown, 
took up a chestnut mare a fortnight ago. 
The owner may have her, paying charges. 

1778, Sept. 16. Auction (31st inst.) of all 
the household furniture of Mr. Simeon Lu- 
grin, Jamaica. Sale to begin at 10 o'clock in 
the morning. N. B. To be sold at same time, 
a fine-toned double harpsichord. Mr. Lugrin 
was schoolmaster at Burton, N. Y. , from 
1799 to 1809. 

1778, Sept. 30. Alexander Wallace, Ja- 
maica, offers three guineas reward for Bet, a 
young negro wench, aged sixteen, yellow, 
pock-pitted, had on a green waistcoat and 
petticoat, and took a calico gown. 

1778, Oct. 5. Four dollars reward paid by 
Richard Greaves, at Isaac Kipp's, New York. 
Ran away from William Sackett, Newtown, 
(Sept. 26), a negro wench, Susan, her right 
leg bent forward, had on a light calico gown 
and dark blue petticoat. 

1778, Oct. 24. To let, a good house of sev- 
eral rooms, and a barn with stables, in a con- 
venient retired situation, a quarter mile from 
Mr. Underbill's mill, Flushing. Apply to 
David Colden. 



1778, Nov. 2. The owner will please take 
away and pay charges for two pieces of cloth, 
left last February, to be dressed, with Isaac 
Lawrence, Whitestone. 

1778, Nov. 16. Persons wanting to pur- 
cbase wood, may be supplied with any quan- 
tity by sending boats to Cold Spring Harbor, 
delivered on the beach by Israel Youngs. 
[Nov. 24, 1779, Youngs gave his parole at 
Pokeepsie. July 29, Loring said he might 
be exchanged for Johannes Snedeker.] 

1779, Jan. 13. To be sold, a plantation of 
thirty acres in the centre of Newtown, occu- 
pied by James Long, an excellent stand for a 
trader. Apply to Jacob and Isaac Rapelye. 

1779, Feb. 1. To be sold, a farm of 110 
acres, on the main road to Flushing, one and 
a half miles from the landing, whence boats 
pass two or three times a week to New York, 
well wooded, meadowed and watered ; thirty 
barrels cider can be made one year with an- 
other ; house one and a half stories high, nine 
rooms on a floor, convenient for a store or 
tavern, two barns and other outhouses. Ap- 
ply to James Morrell, Flushing, or Robert 
Morrell, on the premises. 

1779, Feb. 1. To be sold, a pleasant situ- 
ated little farm of eighty acres, upland and 
salt meadow, in Flushing, within about half 
a mile of David Colden's, a two-story house, 
with fine prospect of Flushing Bay and all 
the vessels that pass through the Sound. 
Fence lately made. Apply to John Lawrence, 
New York. 

1779, Feb. 1. One guinea reward. Lost, 
January 14, at Newtown, a silver watch, by 
James Harper. 

1779, Feb. 1. John Prentice, from Scot- 
land, went on Long Island, about twelve 
months ago, to keep an English school, but 
has not since been heard of. Any one giving 
information will be thankfully recompensed 
for their trouble. 

1779, Feb. 3. To let, the house, barn and 
other offices, &c. , in the townspot of Jamaica, 
southeast of the Presbyterian meeting house 
and opposite the tavern late of Widow 
Combes. Apply to Richard Deane, distiller, 
or Terence Kerin, New York. 

17 i^9, Feb. 14. For sale, the plantation of 
William and Benjamin Creed, 120 acres, a 
quarter mile from the townspot, Jamaica, on 
the great road to Flushing. 

1779, Feb. 22. To be sold, a plantation of 
150 acres, three miles from Jamaica, on the 



24 



Eevolxjtionary Incidents 



road to Springfield, a kitchen by the door, 
salt meadow three miles distant. Apply to 
Benjamin Everit, near by. 

1779, March 8. Jaques Johnson offers to 
sell his plantation in Flushing, a mile from 
Jamaica and four miles from Flushing, [town- 
spot], 135 acres upland and 8 salt meadow, 
well wooded and watered, the house and 
garden in thorough repair, twenty hogsheads 
cider can be made from the orchard in a tol- 
erable season. Its vicinity to Jamaica makes / ^ 
it worth the attention of any gentleman in-^ ' ^ 
clined to live in such an agreeable neighbor- 
hood. 

1779, March 8. Two guineas reward. 
Lost on Long Island, a fortnight ago, a port- 
manteau trunk, containing papers of no use 
but to the owner. 

1779, March 17. For sale, a large store- 
house at Flushing, built of white-pine boards, 
34 feet by 128, two stories and has three 
floors. Enquire of Oliver Thorne. 

1779, March 17. Handsome reward. Lost, 
last October, a gilt trunk, containing papers 
and articles of value, committed to the care 
of Mr. Van Dyke, at Newtown landing, to be 
conveyed to Burling Slip. He has since re- 
moved and can't be found. 

1779, April 24. For sale, three frame 
buildings on Long Island, twenty-three miles 
from New York, near a landing, most new, 
(one a storehouse, 22 by 14 feet, and two sto 
ries high), and may be removed thence with 
little expense to New York, to be put on va- 
cant or burnt lots. Enquire of William 
Mott. 

1779, June 7. Married, at Hon. Judge Lud 
low's house, Hempstead, May 26, Francis 
Dashwood* to Ann Ludlow, sister to the 
Judge, a perfectly amiable lady, with a hand- 
some fortune. 

1779, June 23. A second-hand phaeton 
to be sold, with harness for two horses. En- 
quire of William Bellard, next the meeting 
house, Jamaica. 

1779, June 26. To be sold, a storehouse, 
at Flushing, 28 by 34 feet, three floors. En- 
quire of Oliver Thorne. 

1779, July 12. For sale, and immediate 
possession given, Samuel Nottingham'sf farm, 
in Newtown, a mile from the landing, 92 
acres, 10 or 12 of salt meadow on Flushing 
creek. 



♦Appointed Postmaster General of Jamaica, in 1782. 
tile was a Quaker preacher and went to England. 



1779, Aug. 21. Found, not far from Jeri- 
cho, a red morocco pocket book, by the con- 
tents the property of Rev. Epenetus Town- 
send, late from Halifax Apply to Samuel 
Jarvis and pay for this advertisement. 

1779, Aug. 25. At vendue, Aug. 30, the 
furniture, farming utensils and farm of 
Thomas Hallett, deceased, near the centre of 
Flushing, Jamaica and Newtown. It has 90 
acres, part in salt meadow, grafted fruit, &c. 

1. Fishkill. Thomas Men- 
zies, a resident of Fredericksburg, a half pay 
British officer, a prisoner since May, 1776, on 
parole, is no better than James Grant, a pris- 
oner who took horse to New York and vio- 
lated his parole." 

1779, Sept. 8. To be sold, 21st instant, 3 
o'clock, afternoon, a small place of 26 acres, 
agreeably situated at Pembroke, in Oysterbay, 
near Hempstead Harbor, in a plentiful and 
good neighborhood. It has a grove of fine 
locust and is in good fence. Also a saddle- 
mare, filly, chaise-horse and breeding-mare. 
Abram Walton. 

1779, Oct. 13. Died, Wednesday, at Ja- 
maica, of fever, John, son of the late Henry 
Cuyler, of New York, merchant. 

1779, Oct. 16. Francis Green, New York, 
agent for Henry and James Lloyd, offers five 
guineas reward for information against tres- 
passers. The two farms [on Lloyd's Neck] 
have a written protection of the Commander- 
in-Chief, and are not in the same predicament 
as other estates, under the management of 
the Barrack Master General. [Mav 12, 1784, 
the Legislature forfeited Henry Lloyd's es- 
tate.] 

1779, Oct. 18. For sale, the farm of 200 
acres, salt and fresh, where Isaac Underbill 
lives, in Flushing, one and a half miles from 
the townspot. The grist-mill makes the best 
superfine flour and has a dock where boats of 
thirty tons may load, or at the mill-door. 
David Underbill, Musqueto Cove, Amos and 
Letitia Underbill and William Rhinelander, 
New York. 

1779, Oct. 25. A large black ox came, a 
few days ago, to John Williamson's farm, Ja- 
maica. 

1779, Nov. 6. If Samuel Balding, that 
lived at Westbury, will call at Hugh Parker's 
office, Brooklyn Ferry, and settle for the arti- 
cles purchased by him, July 23, at vendue, it 
will oblige the above subscriber. 



Queens County — 3d Series. 



1779, Nov. 8. Handsome reward. Ran 
away from Edward Bardin, 6th instant, Isa- 
bella, a negro woman, aged 28, born on Long 
Island, and formerly belonged to Capt. White- 
head, Jamaica. She talks a little thick. 

1779, Nov. 20. Lost, five receipts from 
Seth Norton, Assistant Commissary of Forage, 
to Minnie Van Siclen, for 13 cwt. fresh hay, 
27 cwt. straw, and 20 bushels Indian corn, 
and one for pasture of several horses, directed 
to George Brindley, and endorsed "pay to 
John Kelly;" also two promissory notes, one 
of £15.12, payable to John Noblet, from Jacob 
Moore, the other from Peter Harris to Noblet 
for £3.10.3. 

1779, Dec. 8. For sale, George Folliot's 
dwelling house, in the townspot, Jamaica, 
and 24 acres land, and all the furniture and 
farming utensils. 

1779. If Ebenezer Smith, that had some 
cattle on the Jamaica road, December 19, will 
call on Mr. French, the first time he go^s 
along, he shall be well rewarded. 

1780, Jan. 30. " Mrs. Hicks, sister to 
Capt. Tom's wife, of Long Island, has come 
out to live among us, Whigs on the Main." 

1780, Feb. 7. Richard Betts, executor, 
offers for sale the farm of Capt. Samuel 
Fish, in the townspot of Newtown, a mile 
from Juniper Swamp. 

1780, Feb. 7. Taken up, some days ago, a 
long boat, rows with six oars. Apply to 
John McConnell, at Hallet's Cove. 

1780, Feb. 19. Wanted to rent, by T. B., 
in Jamaica, Flushing, Hempstead or New- 
town, for this year, a small farm, not over 
100 acres, with house, barn and stables, 
meadow, orchards, &c. 

1780, Feb. 21. Richard Betts, executor of 
Capt. Samuel Fish, Newtown, will sell at 
vendue, March 7, his homestead of 11 acres, 
with orchard and cider-mill, in the townspot. 
Also salt meadow and upland, one and a half 
miles distant, near Coe's mills, and one-third 
of his right to Juniper Swamp, a mile from 
the house. 

1780, Feb. 23. To be sold, at Flushing, a 
well improved farm of 145 acres, genteel 
house and convenient outhouses. Dr. Wil- 
liam Stewart, New York. 

1780, Feb. 29. At vendue, March 22, the 
farm of Nathaniel Mills, Jamaica, 62 acres 
good for grain or grass, 25 acres of wood, or- 
chard, &c. The house has four rooms and 



25 

Peter and 



three fire-places. Charles Arding, 
Nathaniel Mills, executors. 

1780, March 1. At vendue, the farm of 
Talman Waters, deceased, 230 acres, 30 of 
woodland, 35 of orcharding and 30 of salt 
meadow, also furniture and farming utensils. 
William and John Waters. 

1780, March 17. James Cornweli, Her- 
ricks, offers for sale his two-story dwelling 
house, 20 feet by 26, two fireplaces, two bed- 
rooms portioned off with pine boards, a gar- 
ret, &c. Apply to John Smith, to know the 
value thereof. 

1780, March 20. To let, the farm of 35 
acres, (8 of which is mowing ground), occu- 
pied by Thomas Apthorp, Esq., Jamaica. 
The house has six rooms, three fire-places, 
and cellar under the whole. Enquire of the 
owner. Waters Smith, Newtown, or William 
Forbes, Jamaica. 

1 780 , March 20. Sarah , widow of Jonathan 
Fish, Newtown, has to let a pleasant farm. 

1780, March 20. Robert Cromraeline, Flush- 
ing, offers for sale timber, being part of a 
storehou.se at the landing ; beams 19 feet, 
posts 17 feet, plates 35 feet. Enquire of 
Thomas Ellison, New York. 

1780, April 8. Taken up adrift in the 
Sound, a sloop's mainsail. Apply to Henry 
Ludlam, Hog Island, Oysterbay. 

1780, April 15. For sale, the hull of the 
ship Betsey, as she lays ashore on Hell Gate 
rocks, also 4 four-pounders, 4 three-pounders, 
4 swivels, long-boat, &c. 

1780, April 17. At vendue, April 29, the 
house, barn, and 8 acres of good land, with 
excellent orchard, opposite the church, in 
Flushing ; also 9 acres salt meadow, a mile 
off, being the estate of Peter Van De Water, 
deceased. Also a horse, two cows and sundry 
household furniture. John Rodman and John 
Field, executors. 

1780, May 13. Wanted to hire or pur- 
chase, a farm near Jamaica, or between Ja- 
maica and Brooklyn Ferry. 

1780, May 13. Lost, (Wednesday), between 
Jamaica and Brooklyn ferry, a bundle of 
papers wrapped up in a newspaper, contain- 
ing a lease of a farm in Jamaica, small ac- 
count books and accounts against sundry per- 
sons, sale of goods, receipts, &c. Whoever 
delivers it to William Betts, Jamaica, shall 
be thanked and rewarded for his trouble. 

1780, May 22. Richard Townsend has re- 
moved from northside of Hempstead Plains 



2G 



Hkvolitionary Incidents 



to a house opposite Fly Market, New York. 
Dry goods cheap, also rum, wine, sugar, &c., 
wholesale and retail. 

1780, May 29. Five guineas reward. Sto- 
len from Nathaniel Underhill, Newtown, a 
few days since, a three-year-old chestnut- 
brown horse, branded M. C. on the left thigh 
— a natural trotter. 

1780, June 20. For sale, a house and forty 
acres of land, including orchard and meadow, 
one-quarter mile from the church and meet- 
ing-house in Jamaica, well wat»?red, well 
calculated for a store and tan-yard. David 
Lambersou, on the premises, will give title. 

1780, July 1. For sale, the hull of the 
snow " Hope," lying in Newtown Creek. 

1780, July 10. Charles Crommeline offers 
for sale a gentleman's country-seat of 180 
acres, 20 of woodland, northside the Plains, 
best fruit, &c. 

1780, Aug. 9. To be sold and immediate 
possession given, the farm, head of Cow 
Neck, of 18 acres, 2 of which is woods, 
orchard, &c. Apply to Thomas Woolley, 
Cherry street, New York. 

1780, Aug. 16. James Creighton, attorney- 
at-law, Jamaica, at the office of police, draws 
all kinds of deeds of sale, mortgages, leases, 
wills, bonds, petitions, memorials and every 
other instrument of writing, in the most reg- 
ular and legal manner, upon the former cus- 
tomary terms. 

1780, Aug. 19. Died at Newtown, John 
Sweeten, deputy commissary of forage. 

1780, Sept. 2. Died, at his seat near Ja- 
maica, Samuel Sackett, late of New York 
city, after a few days' illness. 

1780, Sept. 18. For sale, the house where 
William Dudley now lives, in Jamaica, with 
the bake-house and two acres of land. 

1780, Sept. 25. Died last week, at Ja- 
maica, Mrs. Marsh, in an advanced age. 

1780, Oct. 9. Died last week, on Long 
Island, Captain James Hosmer, a refugee 
from Connecticut, but has lived in New York 
city some time past. 

1780, Oct. 21. A pair of chestnut-colored 
horses, strong and sound, for sale by David 
Golden, Flushing ; price, 40 guineas. 

1780, Oct. 21. For sale, Oct. 25, the stock 
and farming utensils of Samuel Sackett, de- 
ceased, near Jamaica. Christopher Smith 
and Carey Ludlow, Executors. 

1780, Oct. 22. To be sold and immediate 
possession given, the farm of Daniel Nos- 



trandt, Fre.sh Meadow, two miles from Ja- 
maica and three from Flushing, 129 acres, 
orchard, &c. 

1780, Dec. 11. William Glean, Flushing, 
offers for sale his valuable farm of 140 acres, 
part woodland and 3 acres of meadow, Head 
of the Fly. 

1780, Dec. 11. John Ropkins, who has re- 
sided some time on Long Island, intends for 
England in the first fleet. 

1780, Dec. 11. The creditors of Mrs. 
Elizabeth Colville, deceased, of Newtown, 
will bring their accounts to William Qrigg 
or Henry Roome, New York. 

1780, Dec. 18. For sale, Daniel Bowne's 
farm of 155 acres, three miles east of Flush- 
ing, called Pigeon Meadow. Enquire of 
Jacob Su\dam or James Bowne, living near. 

1780, Dec. 23. Joseph Greswold, distiller. 
New York, offers for sale an elegant country 
seat, with over 200 acres of land, ncjrth side 
of Hempstead Plains. 

1781, Jan. 8. Persons liaving demands on 
the estate of Samuel Seaman, late of West- 
bury, will bring their accounts to John Wil- 
liams, Samuel Way, or Henry Post, Execu- 
tors. 

1781, Jan. 10. James Way offers for sale 
the place of 50 acres where Jacob Hallett 
lives, at Newtown landing. 

1781, Jan. 10. To be sold and possession 
given May 1, a house and half-acre of land 
in Flushing, facing the Jamaica road. En- 
quire of Pepperell Bloodgood, next door. 

1781, Jan. 13. Died, (Tuesday), Alice, 
wife of Colonel Hamilton, aged 37, and 
grand daughter of Lieutenant-Governor Col- 
den. 

-^1781, Jan. 22.- For sale, John Troup's 
beautiful farm at Jamaica, at a proper dis- 
tance from Beaver Pond, with two houses 
thereon. One house adjoins the main street 
and is a fine stand for business ; the other a 
country seat, with rich meadow. Also, a 
small house on the road from Jamaica to 
Flushing by Blackstump. 

1781, Jan. 22. One guinea reward. Ran 
away from John Wheeler, living at Jamaica, 
a negro fellow, Dick, or Mink. 

1781, Jan. 22. To let, the dwelling house 
of late Mrs. Marsh, long a noted public 
house and eligible stand for any kind of 
business, with seven acres of land. Also to 
be sold, the house and lot next the above, on 
the main street, to the west, in the pre.sent 



Queens County — 2d Series. 



37 



A 



occupation of William Warne, Jamaica. 
Rev. John Sayre, New York. 

1781, Jan. 27. Francis Beven, master of 
the schooner Christopher, picked up a small 
yawl, with two oars, in the mouth of Cow 
Bay. 

1781, Jan. 31. Taken up (23d instant) at 
Jonathan Lawrence's farm, near Hallett's 
Cove, a yawl. 

1781, Feb. 2. At vendue, (March 5th), the 
farm of Matthew Franklin, deceased. Flush- 
ing, one and a half miles from the landing, 
on the road to Fresh Meadow, half a mile 
from a grist mill, one hundred and sixty 
acres, fourteen of salt meadow. John Far- 
rington and James Bowne, Executors. It 
lies south of Jamaica. 

1781, Feb. 2. For sale, the farm of David 
Lamberson, of forty acres and six of wood- 
land. The house is now occupied as a store 
and has a considerable run of business. It is 
suitable for a gentleman's country-seat, or 
would support a considerable family, if well 
attended to. 

1781, Feb. 12. To be sold. A lot of ex- 
cellent land, being part of the estate of Mrs. 
Marsh, deceased, and situate at Jamaica, 
L. I. , containing 17 acres, a part of which is 
an orchard. It joins the cemetery of the 
English Church on the east ; lies along the 
Main street, and is bounded on the west by 
the Dutch parsonage, which is now occupied 
-'by the Rev. Mr. John Bowden, and on the 
north by lands of the Widow Banks and oth- 
ers. Apply to the Rev. John Sayre, No. 33 
Smith street. New York. 

1781, Feb. 18. Patrick Wall, New York, 
cautions people against Thomas Ogilvie, his 
apprentice, now residing in Flushing. He 
also absconded June, 1799. 

1781, Feb. 26. At vendue, (March 20), the 
farm of John Mott, deceased, of one hundred 
and forty acres, east side of Cow Neck. 
Richard Sands and Adam Mott, Executors. 

1781, Feb. 26. The creditors of Major Al- 
exander Menzies, of Delancey's Third Battal- 
ion will present their accounts, by May 1, to 
his widow, Sarah, at Hempstead, Adminis- 
tratrix. 

1781, Feb. 26. To let, by Mary and Sam- 
uel Franklin, New York, on April next, the 
seat of Walter Franklin, deceased, head of 
Newtown Creek, seven miles from Brooklyn 
ferry, twenty-nine acres upland, manured, a 
few acres salt meadow. The creek flows 



within a few rods of the house, whence boats 
come to market daily, fowl and pigeon 
house, &c. 

1781, Feb. 28. At vendue, April 2, the 
farm of Abraham Brinckerhoff, a mile from 
the town spot, Newtown, of one hundred and 
fifteen acres, also moveables. Samuel Wal- 
dron, Isaac and George Brinckerhoff, Execu- 
tors. 

1781, March 3. To let, as elegant a dwell- 
ing as any in the Province, thirty miles from 
New York, south side of Long Island ; a 
noble prospect of the sea, fishing and fowling 
abundant the whole year. The house stands 
in a fourteen-acre field ; large garden, fruit, 
coach-house and stable. Fire-wood quarter 
of a mile distant. George Stanton, New 
York. 

1781, March 17, Gilbert Wright, Jericho, 
will sell at vendue (27th instant) his farm of 
fifty acres. It has an orchard and timber for 
for fences. 

1781, March 19. For sale or to let, a house 
with twelve acres of land, opposite the Eng- 
lish Church, Jamaica. It has four rooms on 
first floor and four on the second, five fire- 
places, and a barn for twenty horses. The 
garden has asparagus, strawberries, raspber- 
ries and fruit-trees. Enquire of John Living- 
ston, on the premises, or Phillip Livingston, 
Hellgate. 

1781, March 19. At vendue, (April 9), by 
James Mackrell, a two-story house and small 
lot, an excellent stand for business, in the 
town of Flushing, with the stock in trade, 
(dry goods and groceries). Also a farm of 
forty acres, (fifteen of which is in wheat). 
The house has a fine prospect of the water. 

1781, March 21. $5 reward. Ran away 
from James Fuller, New York, an apprentice 
boy, Benjamin Kiersted. He had on a fus- 
tian jacket, drab velvet breeches and round 
hat, supposed to be carried away on board 
the pettiauger " Blacksnake," John Graham, 
master, of Hog Island, south side of Long 
Island. Whoever harbors him will answer 
the penalty of the law for damages. 

1781, March 21. Vendue at James Bayeu's, 
Fort Neck, of farming utensils and stock of 
Thomas Jones, Esq. 

1781, March 24. One guinea reward. Ran 
away from William Talman, Flushing, (19th 
instant,) a negro man, Oliver, (now calls him- 
self Joe), aged 27, of a thin, long face. Had 



28 



Revot.utxonatit Incidents 



on a blue short sailor's coat, gray homespun 
waistcoat and breeches. 

1781, March 26. The partnership of Sea- 
man, Willets & Co., of Westbury, is dis- 
solved. All persons will leave their accounts 
with Parsons & Prior, New York. 

1781, April 7. For sale, Richard Smith's 
farm, Herrick's, of eig^lity acres, convenient 
for a storekeejier or house of entertainment. 
The meadow, at Rockaway, cuts eighteen 
loads of salt hay. Also his furniture and 
farming utensils. Hendrick Hagner, Charles 
Doughty and John Allen, creditors. 

1781, April 9. Auction, at Bayside, (April 
12), at the farm of Whitehead Hicks, de- 
ceased. A pair of stout, well-tempered coach 
horses, breeding and riding mares, an excel- 
lent breed of hogs, phaeton, riding chair, 
sulky, excellent milch cows, fourteen acres 
stout, promising green wheat, farming uten- 
sils, &c. 

1781, April 14. Cary Ludlow, near Ja- 
maica, offers at vendue, (25th instant), at 
Rochford's, several lots of woodland, twenty- 
nine acres, one and a half miles south of Ja- 
maica, bounded by Widow Betts, Samuel 
Doughty and John Williamson ; and salt 
meadow at Jamaica South, bounded north by 
meadow late of Isaac Rhodes, east and south 
by Nicholas Everet, west by owners un- 
known. 

1781, April 16. To let, part of the large 
and pleasant house in Jamaica occupied by 
Rochford. Enquire of Dudley, Walsh & Co., 
New York. 

1781, June 2. The copartnership of Ray & 
Fitzsimons having been dissolved, Robert 
Ray continues the business beyond Jamaica ; 
Peter Fitzsimons, at Newtown ; where they 
will serve their old customers and others who 
may please to favor them with their com- 
mands, upon the lowest terms. 

1781, June 18. Charles Arding, being un- 
der a necessity of leaving this country, will 
embark, the first opportunity. He offers for 
sale the farm where he lives, near Jamaica, 
of sixty acres, half in grain and grass for 
mowing. The house is large and neatly fin- 
ished, has a spacious arched hall through the 
middle, and every accommodation for a gen- 
tleman ; two gardens neatly paled in, plenti- 
fully stored with all kinds of vegetables, a 
variety of the best fruit-trees, and neces.sary 
outljuildings. Cattle, horses and household 
furniture sold at same time. 



1781, June 21. New Bricks. Any quan- 
tity of the best sort may be had of Esau Cox 
& Co. , at the brick-kilns, Whitestone. 

1781, July 7. Good brick sold at Abraham 
Lawrence's Point. Any quantity supplied 
by Strong & Cox. 

1781, July 21. Mary, wife of John Boss, 
Newtown, being ill-treated by her husband, 
left him and cautions buyers of the land. 

1781, Sept. 12. Two halfjoes reward. 
Stolen from Benjamin Hildreth, Bahana 
Island, Hellgate, on the night of September 
2, a brown horse. 

1781, September 24. Vendue, October 2, 
at the house of Oliver Willis, near by, of the 
elegant farm of Isaac Smith, Esq., Herricks, 
of one hundred and fifty acres, and twenty- 
five of timber-land adjoining, a spring of 
water by the door, twenty-five acres orchard- 
ing, a lot of meadow at Near Rockaway 
South that cuts twenty loads of hay. 

1781, Oct. 10. To let, an elegant country 
seat, north side of Hempstead Plains, six 
miles from Jamaica. Of the two hundred 
acres, thirty-six are woodland. John Le 
Chevalier Roome, New York. 

1781, Oct. 27. Wanted, a private tutor to 
teach Latin, &c. , to go in a gentleman's fam- 
ily at Flushing. Apply to Colonel Colden, 
New York. 

1781, Nov. 24, William Lanman, mer- 
chant, intends closing his accounts immedi- 
ately, and will dispose at public sale, (Decem- 
ber 17), at Jamaica, of dry goods, groceries, 
china and glassware. Sale to continue till 
all is sold. 

1781, Nov. 26. Taken up (12th instant) 
by William Lawrence, near Hallett's Cove, a 
bay horse with a large blaze in his face, and 
legs white up to the knees. 

1782, Jan. 5. William Palmer married 
Sally, daughter of John Fish, Newtown. 

1782, Jan. 9. " December 28, a box of 
mine was taken from Isaac Van Dyke's 
house. Long Island, and plundered by per- 
sons unknown. Suspecting (kleb Haviland, 
of Queens County, on insufficient grounds, I 
propagated false rumors. I am .sorry and 
make this public reparation. Jacob Abra- 
hams, January 8, 1782." 

1782, Jan. 15. The town of Hempstead 
paid Nehemiah Sammis, Benjamin Lawrence 
and (leorge Clerk £18, for entertaining sundry 
shipwrecked mariners of His Majesty's ship 
" Swallow:" and £?>, 4k, to Increase Pettit, 



Queens County — 3d Series. 



39 



for entertaining three men belonging to a 
privateer. 

1782, Jan. 16. Joshua Carpenter, Jamaica, 
offers for sale his house, barn, and farm of 
one hundred and twenty acres, with orchard 
and salt meadow. 

1783, Jan. 38. To let and be entered on 
May 1, the church parsonage at Newtown, 
seventeen acres, with house, barn and out- 
houses, and orchard. A handsome situation 
for a genteel family. Enquire of Joseph 
Burroughs and Jacob Moore, Trustees. 

1783, Jan. 30. For sale, the farm of forty- 
five acres, formerly of Joseph Provoost, de- 
ceased, near Hallett's Cove. Apply to John 
Bowne, New York. 

1783, Feb. 4. The creditors of Malcolm 
Morrison, of Jamaica, will send their ac- 
counts to William Bogle, at Jamaica. 

1783, Feb. 11. At private sale, and to be 
entered on May 1, the farm of Peter Ryerson, 
[Fosters Meadow], on the road from Jamaica 
to Hempstead. The house has six finished 
rooms, four fire places, smoke-house, shin- 
gled barn, stone well by the door, tolerably 
well timbered, by estimation one hundred 
acres, more or less. It has an excellent store 
for a grocery and another for dry goods. 

1783, Feb. 30. At vendue, March 13, the 
farm of the late Talman Waters, Flushing 
Fly, two hundred acres, twenty of orchard, 
twenty of woods, and twenty of salt meadow. 
The house has four fire-places. Samuel 
Doughty, John and William Waters, Execu 
tors. 

1783, Feb. 35. To be sold and possession 
given May 1, the house and lot of one acre 
now occupied by Mr. Cross, Jamaica, with 
two good shops adjoining. 
/' 1783, March 3. Charles Doughty offers to 
let one year a farm of one hundred and fifty 
acres, one and a half miles from Flushing 
landing. 

1783, March 3. A gardener wanted by a 
gentleman on Long Island, twenty miles from 
New York. Enquire of Mr. Beesly, tavern- 
keeper. Flushing. 

1783, March 4. To be sold on reasonable 
terms, and time given for the payment of the 
money, if most agreeable to the purchaser, a 
two-and-a-half-story house, barns, cow-house, 
coach house and two gardens enclosed with 
pale fence, together with the demesne there- 
unto belonging, nineteen acres of extraordi 
nary fine meadow-land, in the most pleasant 



and healthy part of the town-plat of Jamaica, 
being part of the estate of John Troup, Esq., 
now in possession of Charles McEvers. Pos- ^ 
session given May 1, but the purchaser may 
improve the gardens immediately. 

1783, March 9. The creditors of John Van 
Nostrand, Jr., shopkeeper, of Hempstead, 
will bring their accounts (April 5) to Samuel 
Clowes, Assignee. 

1783, March 11. Edward Bardin presents 
his compliments to the public and informs 
them that he has removed from New York to 
Jamaica and opened a tavern by the name of 
Vauxhall, (formerly Thomas Rochford's). 
Tea and coffee, and entertainments great and 
small, at shortest notice — the best kind of 
liquors. 

1783, April 1. To let, in Jamaica, two or 
three genteel rooms, with cellar and garden, 
and privilege in the kitchen, stable, &c. En- 
quire of Waters Smith, Jamaica. 

1783, April 1. At vendue, (April 10), a 
valuable farm of one hundred and seventy- 
five acres, well situated for a gentleman's 
country seat, on the East River, five miles 
from New York. The river abounds with 
fish, which may be taken the season through; 
two stately rows of cherry-trees (one of red, 
the other black,) are standing on the river's 
bank ; sixteen acres of fresh and eight of 
salt meadow and ten of woodland, the whole 
well-watered by fine springs. Title given by 
John Howes and John Parsell. 

1783, April 15. Vendue (April 18) of the 
valuable farm of Elias Doughty, deceased, in 
Flushing, near the Great Plains, of about 
two hundred acres upland. A large lot of 
salt meadow, four or five miles distant, yields 
sixty or seventy loads of salt hay in good sea- 
sons. John and Charles Doughty, Executors, 
New York Ferry. 

1783, April 33. At public auction, 13 
o'clock, (April 33), a likely negro wench, aged 
33, and her male child, aged 33 months. She 
understands all kinds of housework, and was 
brought up in Flushing. Sold only for want 
of employ. The property warranted. 

1783, May 35. Alexander McAuley & Co. 
have removed from Jamaica to New York, 
and hope friends in the country will continue 
to favor them. 

1783, June 33. David Casseboom, of East 
Woods, married (June 19) Mi.ss Jane Brass, 
of Beth page, a lady of fortune. 



90 



Revolutionary Incidents 



1782, July 6. Lost, between Joseph Wood- 
ward's and Newtown, 32 guineas and $1 in 
small change, in a green and white silk purse. 
A handsome reward jf brought to Thomas 
Hallett, Brooklyn Ferry. 

1782, July 8. A single man, capable of 
instructing about twenty children in reading, 
writing and arithmetic, and bringing a good 
recommendation, will meet with suitable en- 
couragement by applying to Joseph Bur- 
roughs, Newtown. 

1782, July 27. Samuel Ockerson, of Ix>ng- 
bridge, N. J., died on Long Island, aged 55. 

1783, Aug. 24. Mr. Palmer, 54th Regiment, 
married a daughter of Benjamin Woolsey, 
deceased, of Queens County. 

1782, Sept. 2). To be sold, several high- 
bred stallions, among them " Lofty" and 
" Bratus," belonging to cavalry officers, botli 
capital four mile horees ; also " Comus" and 
two or three capital hunters. To be seen at 
Jamaica. Enquire of Mi. Betts, Queenshead. 
The prices are left with the groom. 

1782, Oct. 2. Died, at Newtown, Donald 
McDonald, printer. 

1782, Nov. 27. For sale, the islands called 
Two Brothers, a good house and barn there- 
on, two miles above Hellgate. Enquire of 
Henry Brasher, Water street. New York. 

1782, Dec. 18. Lost, ten days since, on 
Long Island, a double-lidded and double- 
hinged snuff-box, which opens four different 
ways, with a crest on the lid, of a lion ram- 
pant. A guinea reward, if delivered to the 
printer. 
.J 1782, Dec. Address of the principal inhab- 
itants of Queens and Kings Counties to David 
Scott, Captain and Commissary of British 
Artillery Horse. They lament his departure 
for England, admire his civil and military 
conduct, his zeal and attention in His Majes- 
ty's service ; his behavior as a civilian, dis- 
tinguished with justice and agreeable man- 
ners, which are so necessary to promote His 
Majesty's interest in this country. They 
hope his endeavors will be rewarded. Signed 
by:- 
yA Arch. Hamilton, Colonel Cora. Q. Co. Militia. 
Jeremiah Vanderbelt, Major K. Co. Militia, 
Nicholas Schei.ck, Captain K Co. Militia, 
John Rapelye, late Colonel K. Co. Militia, 
Dowe Ditmars, Ensign Q. Co. Militia, 
Daniel Rapelye, Lieutenant Q. Co. Militia, 
Johannes Remsen, Lieutenant K. Co. Militia, 
Joseph French, Justice Quorum, Q. Co., 



Daniel Lent, Cornet, Q. Co. Horse, 
Christopher Benson, Captain N. Y. Rangers, 
Maurice Lott, late Sheriff, Kings Co. , 
Cornelius Wyckoff, Justice Quorum, K. Co., 
Samuel Hallett, Captain Delancey's Brigade, 
Jeromus Lott, Lieutenant-Colonel, 
Peter Lott, ('aptain, 
Richard Betts, Captain, 
John Polhemus, Lieutenant, 
Isaac Cortelyou, Thomas Harriot, 

Hendrick Eldert, Hendrick Wyckoff, 

Denyse Denyse, John Benham, 

Daniel Luyster, William Van Nuise, 

Garret Luyster, Albert Terhune, 

Nathaniel Moore, 3d, Theophylact Bache, 
Nathaniel Mooi'e, 2d, John Johnston, 
David Moore, Whitehead Cornell, 

Nicholas Wyckoff, Jaques Cortelyou, 
Jacob Snedeker, Simon Cortelyou, 

Nicholas Williamson, Joseph Hallett, 
John Williamson, William Hallett, 

Gozen Ryers, Samuel Doughty, 

Henry Van Buren, Charles Doughty, 
John Wetherhead, William Doughty, 
Isaac Eldert, Johannes Lott, 

Isaac Rapelye, Jurrian Lott, 

Jacob Rapelye, Joost Wyckoff, 

Abraham Lent, William Cowenhoven, 

John Moore, August's Van Cortland, 

Joseph Moore, John Waters. 

1783, Jan. 6. Josiah Brown, grocer, ac- 
quaints the public that he has removed from 
Jamaica, and offers for sale the house now 
occupied by John Dudley. 

1783, Jan. 18. $2 reward. Lost, between 
Newtown and Brooklyn, a hanger, with black 
handle and silver lion head. 

1783, March 5. At vendue, (20lh instant), 
all the estate, moveable and immoveable, of 
Richard Gardiner, of Flushing, deceased : 
a house of two rooms, garret, fourteen acres 
of land, brook of water by the door, suitable 
for the tanning business. Apply to Daniel 
Nostrand, Black Stump. 

1783, April 2. To be sold or exchanged 
for a house in New York, a house and farm 
of sixty acres, near Jamaica, pleasant and 
remote from business. 

1783, April 28. Bark ! Bark ! Bark ! 
A generous price given for two hundred 
cords. Thomas Hazard, John Cole, Jacob 
Polhemus. [Newtown.] 

1783, May 10. The creditors of Mrs. Sarah 
Scudder, of Newtown, deceased, will settle 
with (ileorge Rapelye and Richard Alsop. 



1783, June 7. For sale and immediate pos- 
session given, a blacksmitli's shop, an ex- 
ceeding good stand. One set of tools com- 
plete, in the centre of Jamaica town. En- 
quire of Isaac Roop, Brooklyn Ferry. 

1783, June 21. The partnership between 
Isaac Roop and Jonathan Jones, of Jamaica, 
blacksmiths, will be dissolved January 1. 
Debtors will pay and creditors be paid. 

1783, July 9. Mr. Bennet, who formerly 
taught school at Thomas Betts', Esq., be- 
tween Brooklyn Ferry and Jamaica, is desired 
to call on tlie Printer. 

1783, Sept. 10. Thomas Lester offers for 
sale or exchange for goods, the house, barn 
and three acres of land, a mile from Her- 
ricks, north side the Plains, commodious for 
public business. Apply to James Peters, 
New York, for particulars. 

1783, Sept. 10. Two guineas reward. 
Ran away from Widow Suydam, Flushing; 
" Peg," aged 20, very black and thick-set. 

1783, Sept. 10. Handsome reward. Ran 
away from Edward Bardin, Jamaica, " Sam," 
a mulatto. He had on a striped jacket and 
trowsers made of bed-tick. He carried off 
a bag of clothes, red waistcoat, buckskin 
breeches and two pair of white breeches. 



War Correspondence of Colonel Ham 

ILTON and Ma,JOR KiSSAM. 

To Captain Stephen Thome, Cow Neck. 

Innerwick, June 14th, 1777. 

Orders by Archibald Hamilton, Esq. , Colonel 
Commandant of the Regiment of Queens 
County Militia, for the better regulating 
of that corps. 

1. Every Captain is to keep an exact return 
or list of the number of men in his district 
fit to bear arms. 

2. He is to warn all his men regularly to 
a field-day or muster with their arms com- 
plete. No excuse but want of health will be 
admitted. 

3. He will give particular orders to his 
subalterns to attend constantly, as it is the 
officers' duty to give good example to the 
soldiers. 

4. Any of those people commonly called 
Quakers, who were aiders or abettors of this 
unnatural rebellion, are to be constantly 
warned to appear, and to be fined for a non- 



QuEENS County — 2d Series. ~ 31 

compliance. At the same time every lenity 
will be shown to those few who held fast 
their integrity. 

5. Any militia man or soldier who shall 
neglect to appear when warned, or shall con- 
tumaciously refuse any lawful order, will not 
only be fined but sent to the Provost-guard. 

Every Captain is to read these orders at the 
head of his company and insert them in an 
Orderly book kept for that purpose. 
Rules, kv. 

Each company is to have a call and size- 
roll, in which the men's names are to be in- 
serted according to their ranks, as front or 
rear rank, that they be well instructed in the 
rank to which they belong (to facilitate the 
drawing them up for field exercises) to place 
the smallest men in the front rank. 

That when a company is ordered to meet, 
that their names be regularly called over. 

That the officers see that the men appear 
clean and decent under arms ; that they are 
sober and behave with decorum on their way 
to and from as well as at the muster or exer- 
cising ground, and that their arms and accou- 
trements are in good order. 

That the officers be particularly careful in 
expediting any orders they may receive ; 
that they endeavor to encourage the men in 
the attention to muster and training days ; 
that both officers and men avoid disobedience, 
murmuring or any marks of envy or disre- 
spect, which betray an ignorance of the value 
of subordination, the basis of all good order 
and discipline. 



Hempstead Pi,ains, \ 

Friday Morning, 11 o'clock. S 
Sir : — I this morning received an express 
from Setauket,* that the Rebels invested 
that post early this morning, [August 22, 
1777]. I have orders from (ieneral Delancey 
to muster the militia and march to Hunting- 
ton forthwith. You will therefore order the 
Captains on the north side of the Plains to 
collect their companies and, with the assist- 
ance of horses and wagons, meet me at the 
windmill, f to which place I have ordered the 
companies from the southside. Captains 
Coles, Van Wyck and Youngs you'll order 



* See Revolutionary Incident 
p. «)>. 

t The uinflmi 
Plains. 



of .'Suffolk Connty. 
tavern was nortlisicle of Hempstead 



32 

directly on for Huntington. I doubt not 
your using the utmost expedition, and am 
Yours, &c., G. G. Ludlow. 



INNERWICK, near FJ;U8HING, } 

17th March, 1778. ^ 

the Militia of Great and Cow 



Orders for 

Necks. 

It is Colonel Hamilton's positive orders 
that the companies of Captains Thorne and 
Cornwell mount guard every niglit at the 
place that Major Kissam shall think most 
requisite. This guard to consist of one ser- 
geant, one corpf)ral and sixteen privates. No 
age to excuse those who are in good circum- 
stances, as they are hereby ordered to hire 
one to do their duty, if they are not able to 
do it themselves. The Captains to take care 
that this order is strictly complied with. No 
person to be excused from this duty but doc- 
tors, and to continue till further orders. 

Archibald Hamilton, 
Colonel Commandant of Queens Co. Militia. 



Orders sent to Major Kissam, for the Militia 

of Queens County in the Parishes of Oys- 

terbay and Hempstead. 

Innerwick, 26th March, 1778. 

It is Colonel Hamilton's orders that the 
Captains of the Regiment of Queens County 
Militia in the Parishes of Oysterbay and 
Hempstead, do immediately meet and settle 
a proper mode for establishing sufficient 
guards on Great Neck, Cow Neck and Matin- 
ecock Point, or any other place that may re- 
quire it for the defence of that part of the 
Island. If the common methods of doing 
duty by companies is found inadequate to the 
purpose, guards must be hired, and paid by 
a general tax on these companies according 
to their strength. A return of this plan is to 
be sent as soon as possible to Colonel Hamil- 
ton for his consideration and approbation. 

Major Kissam will appoint the place and 
be present at the meeting, and make his re- 
port to Colonel Hamilton. He is likewise to 
get a complete return of the strength of their 
respective companies, from each of these 
Captains. He is also to appoint proper guard- 
houses and to take care and give orders that 
they be supplied with fire- wood. 



Revolutionary Incidents 

Innerwick, 1st May, 1778. 
Regimental Orders. 

Governor Tryon has been pleased to make 
the following promotions in the Regiment of 
Queens County Militia, whereof Gabriel G. 
Ludlow, Esq., is Colonel: — John Woolley, 
Jr., Esq., to be Captain of a Company, in the 
room of Stephen Thorne, Esq. , who has leave 
to resign upon account of his health. Ed- 
ward Thorne, gentleman, to be First Lieuten- 
ant ; Robert Sutton, gentleman, to be Second 
Lieutenant ; and Joseph Thorne, gentleman, 
to be Ensign in said Company. 

Any soldier of Queens County Militia who 
refuses or neglects his guards is to be fined 
£5 for every offence. Tlie Captains to take 
care that this order is strictly put in execu- 
tion. For neglect of smaller duties, they are 
to be fined 20 shillings for every offence, the 
Captains to be answerable that this order is 
complied with. A. H. 

To Major Kissam. 



Innerwick, 1st May, 1778. 
Orders for the Regiment of Queens County 

Militia. 

It is Colonel Hamilton's order that no sol- 
dier, upon any pretence, shall quit the troops 
or company in which he is now mustered, 
without leave from the commanding officer 
of the regiment. Those who presume to act 
contrary to this order will be fined £10 and 
treated as deserters, the captains to be an- 
swerable, if this order is not complied with. 

The guards from Red Spring Point to Oak 
Neck are to be very strict in their duty. 
They are to seize all persons and boats com- 
ing from the Rebel shore, and keep them in 
custody, reporting them to Colonel Hamilton, 
and waiting for his directions. If any one 
suffers or assists them to escape, he will be 
treated as a traitor to his King. No boats to 
be permitted to remain upon the shore along 
the Sound, for fear that deserters or Rebels 
may make their escape by then». If any 
boats are found along shore after this order 
is known, the officers are to see that they are 
cut to pieces. Any commissioned officer who 
neglects his duty or refuses, will be fined 
£20, and will be dismissed with infamy. 
Whatever things are seized coming from the 
Rebel shore are to belong to the persons who 
seize them. 



Queens County 

Innerwick, 16th May, 1778. 
To John Kissam, Major of Queens County 

Militia. 

It is Colonel Hamilton's positive orders 
that no further steps shall be taken [by Cap- 
tain Daniel Youngs] in the affair betwixt Pe- 
ter Hegeman and Mrs. Knapp, until he 
comes to enquire into the merits of the cause 
himself, which will be soon. A. H. 



-2d Series. 



33 



Herricks, May 33d, 1778. 
To Major Kissam. 

Sir : — It is Major General Tryon's order 
that in future no boats are to go from Long 
Island to the Main, and that the ferrymen at 
the different ferries be immediately acquaint- 
ed with the same. You'll therefore please to 
forward this order to such ferrymen as are 
within your district. 

I am, sir, your most obedient servant, 

G. G. Ludlow, Colonel. 



are relieved, the Captains to be answerable 
that their proportion of men is kept up, oth- 
erwise they (the Captains) will be severely 
fined. The townships of Jamaica, Flushing 
and Newtown are to furnish the party for 
next Thursday, and the other townships to 
take it in rotation. 

A party of ten soldiers and two non-com- 
missioned officers are to parade every even- 
ing in the town of Flushing, opposite the 
Meeting-house, with arms and ammunition 
complete, who are to mount guard at White- 
stone ; one non-commissioned officer and five 
men to mount guard at Lewis's house, and 
one non-commissioned officer and five men at 
Pinfold's, who are to give an alarm in case 
of any Rebels landing. Captain Hoogland's 
company is to take the guard this evening ; 
Captain Ludlum's to-morrow, and Captain 
Betts's on Thursday, and so in succession. 
Whatever company fails in their guard, the 
Captain will be fined £30 for every failure. 

A. H., 
Col. Commandant Queens Co. Militia. 
To Major Kissam. 



Head Quarters, New York, ) 
25th May, 1778. f 

General Orders. 

Queens County is to furnish one hundred 
men, and Kings County fifty, to assemble at 
Brooklyn Church, Wednesday morning, at 5 
o'clock, to work upon the redoubts near 
Brooklyn. The same party are to remain till 
the works are finished ; or they may be re- 
lieved from time to time, as may be thought 
most commodious to the county. 



Innerwick, 26th May, 1778. 
Regimental Orders. 

The Captains of the Regiment of Queens 
County Militia are immediately to meet and 
settle their proportion of men for the work- 
ing party that is to march to Brooklyn. 
They are to parade at Brooklyn Church on 
Thursday morning, at 5 o'clock, and are to 
carry their provisions with them. They will 
be allowed rum by the Government. Every 
Captain is to send to Colonel Hamilton, who 
will deliver twenty haversacks for the use of 
the working party of such company. Colonel 
Hamilton orders this duty to be done by 
townships, and to be relieved every fifth day. 
Two commissioned officers are to go with the 
working party, who are to remain till they 



On His Majesty's Service. 
7'« Major Kissam, Cow Neck. 

Innerwick, 38th May, 1778. 
Regimental Orders. 

Major Kissam and the Captains of the 
Regiment of Queens County Militia will meet 
at Hempstead, on Tuesday. June 2d, at 13 
o'clock, to settle their proportion of men for 
the third relief, which will be on Friday, 5th 
June, and to be answerable that there is no 
stop put to the working party. No Refugee 
is to go upon any Fatigue, but to do every 
other duty. 

Dear Sir: — 1 beg you will communicate 
this order to the Captains in your district, 
and take care that they are fulfilled. 

1 am your most humble servant, 

A. H., Col. Com't, &c. 



Innerwick, 6th June, 1778. 
Orders for the Militia of Queens County. 

The Captains and officers of the Regiment 
of Queens County Militia are immediately to 
meet and settle the number of fascines each 
company must make to furnish one thousand 
for the use of His Majesty's works at Brook- 



34 



REVOLrTIONART INCIDENTS 



lyn. They are likewise to furnish one thou- 
sand pickets or palisades between seven and 
eight feet long, sharpened at one end, from 
four and five to six inches in diameter, either 
round or split, and two thousand sod pins, 
about one foot or fifteen inches long, sharp- 
ened at one end, and about half an inch or 
three-quarters of an inch in diameter. They 
must be as expeditious as possible, that His 
Majesty's service may not be retarded. The 
fascines and pickets are to be carried and de- 
livered at Brooklyn by the wagons of the 
country gratis. The drivers will be allowed 
fatigue-rum. The reason of this alteration, 
by order of His Excellency Governor Tryon, 
is owing to the working parties' not having 
carried provisions with them, though posi 
tively ordered. The fascines and pickets are 
to be cut from Rebel woods, or from the 
woods of those who have been in rebellion, 
as may be most convenient for dispatch. 
Colonel Hamilton earnestly recommends it to 
the Captains and officers to be very attentive 
to this duty, as he is determined to fine those 
who are backward or neglectful, in a most 
exemplary manner. Major Kissam is to be 
answerable that the companies to the East- 
ward do their part of this duty. The fas- 
cines are to be from eight to ten feet long, 
well tied together with three or four withes, 
cut square at one end, with four pins to each. 

A. H., Col. Com't, &c. 
To Major Kissam, &c. 



To John Kissam, Major of Queens Co. Militia. 

A true return of Captain Seaman's Company, 
made this 9th day of June, 1778, agreeable 
to orders to me directed. 

Captain, Samuel Seaman, (commission bear- 
ing date the 9th day of December, in the 
17th year of His Majesty's reign, 1776). 

Lieutenant, Joseph Birdsall. 

Ensign, Townsend Jackson, 

1 Clerk, 4 Sergeants, 4 Corporals, 1 Drummer. 

49 rank and file, able bodied men. 

4 invalids, not fit for duty. 

10 above the age of 50 and not ftO. 

15 above 60. 

Cash by fines, the sum of £13, 18, 4. 

Cash paid for theuseof theComp'y, £11, 15,4. 

4 absentees, gone in His Majesty's service. 

5 do. moved themselves and families 
out of the district. 



Innbrwick, 13th Junk, 1778. 
To Major Kissam. 

Dear Sir : — I am this moment favored 
with your letter, and am happy to find that 
the fascines and pickets are almost ready. I 
beg you will be so good as to enquire into the 
case of Henry Allen, and settle it agreeable 
to humanity for the one and convenience for 
the others. 

I am, dear sir, yours most sincerely, 

A. H. 



Hempstead Plains, July 30, 1778. 
To Major Kissam. 

Sir : — In the absence of Colonel Hamilton, 
you will take the command of the Queens 
County Militia, and execute such measures as 
you shall think necessary for the benefit and 
protection of the county. In particular you 
will observe the following directions respect- 
ing the Beacons on Cow Neck and near Nor- 
wich, and take the steps requisite for their 
being carried into execution. 

Whenever any Beacons* to the Eastward 
are seen on fire, you will immediately set fire 
to those under your care ; making one fire or 
more, as you observe those to the Eastward 
have done, in every instance following their 
example ; and whenever you have so done 
you will send an express to the commanding 
officer of the King's forces at Jamaica, in- 
forming him that one, two or three beacons 
(as the fact shall be) are fired to the East- 
ward. 

In all cases when you have certain intelli- 
gence of tlie enemy being landed on this 
Island in force, you will fire all the three 
Beacons, and dispatch an express as above, 
with the infomiation, always keeping up the 
fires until the intelligence shall have reached 
New York. You will of course have three 
distinct Beacons at each place in readiness to 
be fired ; and if it should happen in the day- 
time, encourage the smoke as much as pos- 
sible. 

A corporal and four men are to mount 
guard, at each place, on them, night and day, 
always keeping a sentinel looking out for sig- 
nals. These men you will change weekly, 
or at your discretion, and excuse them from 
i all military duty. A compensation will 
moreover be made them in proportion to 
their diligence and service. 

I * See Revolutionary Incidental, pf*. M'i, 19i. 



These directions are to be strictly observed 
by the Guard at each of the two places fixed 
on by Brigadier General Delaucey for the 
erection of the Beacons ; and the Guard sta- 
tioned on the hill near Norwich will also ob- 
serve to send an express to Cow Neck when- 
ever the Beacons under their care are fired. 
William Tkyon, M. G. 



Innkrwick, 29th September, 1778. 
Dear Major : — I beg you will enquire 
into the dispute betwixt Ensign Thome and 
Mr. Taylor, and settle it agreeable to justice 
and military customs. The road for carting 
wood for His Majesty's troops is not to be 
stopped upon any account. 

I am, dear sir, your most humble servant, 

A. H. 



Queens County — 2d Series. 35 

Court Martial, but do not think it can be of 
any service, pro or con. However, you have 
done your duty in sending him, and I shall 
acquaint General Vaughan with it to-morrow. 
I have again sent them back, and will ac- 
quaint you with the General's answer. Be 
so good as to deliver the enclosed letter. 

General Orders, January 2, nT'J. 
The Commanding Officer of the Queens County 
Militia is to establiifh such guards along the Sound as 
he maj' think sulficient both to prevent the Rebel* 
from landing and to receive such as may make their 
escape from them. They are to be very alert, and in 
case of a descent are to give the alarm to the first 
established post. 

Signed, J. Vaughan, Major General. 

Jan. 19, 1779. Major Kissam is to see this 
order complied with, his way, and to consult 
with Captain Brown, of His Majesty's sloop 
"Scorpion," about the proper places for 
guards. A. H., &c. 



Innerwick, 2d November, 1778. 
To Major Kissam. 

Dear Sir : — I beg you will be so good as 
to enquire into Valentine's affair, and if you 
are persuaded that he has gone to the Rebels, 
and that there is any collusion in the sale of 
his estate, I desire you will put Joseph 
Smith, with his family, upon part of it, for 
his present support, till further orders. 

I am, sir, your most obedient servant, 

A. H. 

To Major Kissam, at Cow Neck. 

Innerwick, 22d November, 1778. 
Having had repeated complaints against 
one Cutler, in the Forage Department, from 
several people in my district, I am, therefore, 
to advise him (whoever he is) to be more 
careful for the future how he acts, as I am 
determined to protect all those under my 
command from being ill-used or pillaged, as 
they are willing to spare everything they can 
for His Majesty's stores. 

You are desired to copy several of these 
and give theto to the inhabitants. 

A. H., 
Colonel Commandant of Queens County Mili- 
tia and Aid-de-camp to Major Gen. Tryon. 



Colonel Hamilton to Major Kissam. 

Dec. 31, 1778. I am this moment favored 
■with your letter, and would have sent it with 
Pearsall to the President of the General 



Colonel Hamilton to Major Kissam. 

Jan. 17, 1779. I ani desired by General 
Tryon to give orders that the militia guards 
for the future (your way) shall consist of 
hired men, who are to be paid by a tax from 
the companies who otherwise would have 
mounted in their turn. You will likewise be 
so good as to consult with Captain Brown 
about the proper places for such guards, who 
will be so obliging as to give you a copy of 
the Signals sent by General Tryon. I beg 
my compliments to your father, aqd am, with 
great regard, dear sir, yours most sincerely. 



Circular. 

Outpost, Kingsbridge, \ 
20th January, 1779. S 
To Justice Samuel Clowes. 

Sir : — His Majesty's service requiring large 
and immediate supplies of hay and straw, 
which can only be obtained from the country, 
His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton has re- 
quested my assistance on this occasion. 

It is expected from every farmer or inhab- 
itant that he will bring into such magazine 
as the Commissary General shall direct, that 
quantity of these articles of forage not wanted 
by the proprietor for carrying his own stock 
through the season, nor necessary for sub- 
sisting the Light-horse of the militia. But 
it is not the General's intention that this con- 
tribution should be made to the public exi- 
gency without a compensation ; for certifi- 



Revolutionart Incidents 



cates are to be given of the quantities re- 
ceived and payment made both for tlie article 
and transportation according to tlie regula- 
tions established by the Commander-in-Chief. 

It will afford me much pleasure to find the 
wants of the army satisfied without distress- 
ing the people, and I can devise no better ex- 
pedient for this purpose than to put the con- 
duct of the collection under discreet and 
trusty superintendents, well known and es- 
teemed in the quarters whence the supplies 
are collected. Mr. Wier, the Commissary 
General, has assured me that he will not only 
reimburse them and their assistants for their 
expenses, but reward them for their trouble. 

I therefore hereby appoint you Superin- 
tendent for the division or township of Hemp- 
stead, and , of your county, to 

be your assistant, and recommend to you to 
proceed on the business with speed and the 
strictest regard to justice and impartiality. 

You will apprise the inhabitants of the 
General's requisitions and the mischiefs of 
withholding the supplies from any unjustifia- 
ble motives ; for in that case the surplus 
will be taken without payment ; and consist- 
ing of straw unthreshed, on the first of 
March next, the proprietor will be exposed to 
the further loss of the grain in the ear. They 
ought also to be informed that no sinister ex- 
cuses to evade or delay the actual delivery of 
the real surplus will be countenanced, the 
King's service requiring an immediate com- 
pliance. 

In the execution of this trust you will re- 
port your transactions to the Commissary 
(Jeneral, who will instruct you respecting 
the magazines. I have only to add that I 
confide in your diligence and prudence, as 
well as in the loyalty and zeal of the inhabit- 
ants, and that I am, sir, your most obedient 
servant. Wii.i.iam Tkyon, (iovernor. 



ND, I 



Signals. 

Sf'ORPioN, OFF Nkw City Island, 

.Ianuahv 30tii, 1779. 

If the Hebels are attacking any ves.sels, or 

landing or landed between this station and 

Hempstead Bay, the signals by night are two 

fires on Lawrence Hewlett's Point ; by day, 

two smokes on the same. If the attack is 

made in Cow Bay, the signal by night is one 

fire on Lawrence Hewlett's Point ; if by day, 



one smoke on the same. The above signals 
will be answered from the "Scorpion;" by 
day, by hoisting the colors, or hauling them 
down if hoisted previously ; by night, with 
lights, false-fires or muskets. 

Phillip Brown. 



Signals. — Colonel Hamilton will be so 
good as to place a man at the most convenient 
height to see Laurel Hill and Morris's house, 
[on York Island]. He will observe what sig- 
nals are made from there — if there are three 
guns from Laurel Hill and three fires from 
there or Morris's house, two guns and two 
fires from ditto, or one gun and one fire from 
ditto — and report the same to the Com- 
mander-in-Chief, on board the " Grand Duke," 
at Whitestone. 

Oliver Delancey, Aid-de-Camp. 



Signals by day and night for Long Island 
and Kingsbridge, to be made from Norwich 
Hill, Sutton's Hill and Flushing Heights, 
viz. : 

1. On the enemy's landing in force east- 
ward of Norwich : by night, one beacon fired 
at each ; by day, one large smoke at each. 

2. On enemy landing in force westward of 
Norwich Hill : by night, two beacons fired at 
each ; by day, two large smokes at each. 

Signals acknowledged from Morris's house: 
by night, first signal, one rocket ; second sig- 
nal, two rockets ; by day, none. 

N. B. — The fires and smokes to be kept up 
while the enemy remain on the Island, or 
until otherwise observed. After every signal 
a Light Dragoon to be sent from Morris's 
house to Headquarters with the intelligence. 

Mem. — Norwich Hill is two miles south of 
Oysterbay, Sutton's Hill* is three miles from 
Cow Neck Point, Flushing Heights are near 
Ustick's house. 

Approved by the Commander-in-Chief, 
Wii^iiiAM Tkyon, Major General. 
Archibald Hamilton, Aid-de-Camp. 



Signals. — On the attack of the Posts at 
Kingsbridge, viz. : If at any one of the out- 
posts on the Main, to fire one gun from the 
\>ost attacked, or platoon where there is no 

* Now on the farm nf Joseph O llp<r('inan. 



Queens County — 2d Series. 



37 



cannon. To be answered from Fort Knip- 
hausen by one gun ; and one gun and two 
rockets from Morris's house. 

If between Kingsbridge and McGowan's 
lines from the North River, two guns and 
two rockets from Fort Kniphausen. 

If from Harlem Creek, one gun and three 
rockets from Fort Kniphausen, and both the 
same signals to be respectively repeated from 
Morris's house. 

N. B. — After every signal a Light Dragoon 
to be sent from Morris's house to Headquar- 
ters with the intelligence. 



Oovernor Tryon to Colonel Hamilton. 

Five Post, Kingsbridge, \ 
7th March, 1779. S 

As the armed ships in the South Bay are a 
sufficient security from every insult of the 
enemy on the south side of Long Island, and 
as the whaleboats from the Connecticut coast 
are continually committing depredations on 
the north side, the duty of the militia must 
be directed to that quarter ; and whereas the 
hiring of guards has been found not only an 
indulgence to the inhabitants, but the most 
eflfectual method to guard the necessary 
posts, I do hereby order that all persons in 
Queens County do bear a proportion of the 
expense of such duty, according to the value 
of their estates, real or personal, although 
exempted from military duty by age or office. 

Il^^lt is Colonel Hamilton's orders that 
Major Kissam see the above orders put in 
force immediately in his district. 

In pursuance of the above orders to me. 
Captain Cornell is ordered to raise the moneys 
on the inhabitants in his district for the pay- 
ment of five men that he has hired to do duty 
as guards on Cow Neck, at the rate of six 
shillings per day each man, in such manner 
as is ordered by His Excellency Governor 
Tryon's letter, for three months, commencing 
the 7th of February last. 

John Kissam, Major, &c. 



Major Kissam to Oeorge Brinley. 

Cow Neck, 1st March, 1779. 
Sir : — On my going round among the 
farmers on the northside of Hempstead, in 
order to see what quantities of forage they 



could spare for the use of His Majesty's 
troops, I found that many of the principal 
farmers were entirely destitute of any fresh 
hay, and from their distance of? the salt 
meadows, little salt hay likewise ; but I 
found I could collect about thirty tons of 
fresh and salt hay, and about the same quan- 
tity of straw, which I have returned to Jus- 
tice Clowes. Since which the Light Horse 
at Hempstead have taken several tons which 
I had engaged, which I am afraid will make 
my return of hay less. 

I should have sent to New York before 
this all the hay, but meeting with difficulty, 
and being disappointed in procuring boats to 
transport the same, have prevented it ; but 
hoping in a few days I shall be able to send 
what little hay remains, and all the straw 
that can possibly be collected, as I have now 
engaged two or tliree boats, The farmers in 
general seem to be a good deal distressed on 
account of the large quantities of hay that 
were taken from them last summer and fall. 



Benjamin James to Major Kissam. 

Sir : — The above being a copy of your let- 
ter to Mr. Brinley, the bearer, Mr. Ochiltree, 
employed as Deputy Commissary of Forage 
at Flushing, being in want of some fresh 
hay, by your pointing out to him how he 
may get the same, 1 shall be obliged, and his 
receipt shall be paid by yours truly. 



To Major Kissam. 

Sir : — I leave enclosed for you a note from 
Mr. James, Deputy Commissary of Forage 
at New York. I would be glad if you could 
let me know as soon as possible, if any fresh 
hay can be got from this place to send to 
Flushing, and by what means you think best 
to send it there. You mention in your letter 
to Mr. Brinley of having got vessels to trans- 
port forage to New York. If these vessels 
could carry the fresh hay to Flushing, proper 
certificates for the carriage would be given 
them. I beg you'll write me, as soon as you 
can, what can be done, as we are in great 
want of fresh hay at Flushing. I am, sir, 
your very humble servant, 

Duncan Ochiltree, 
Assistant Commissary of Forage. 
Cow Neck, 10th March, 1779. 



38 



Revoi.vtionart Incidents 



To Major Kissnm, Queens County Militia, at 
Cow Neck. 

On Service. 
Newtown, 3d Apuii-, 1779. 
Siu : — Colonel Hamilton has ordered the 
following days and places to be observed for 
tlie purpose of reviewing (11 o'clock, morn- 
ing,) the Regiment, of which 1 thought it 
necessary you should be informed, viz.: 
Monday, 13th inst. , at Newtown. 
Tuesday, 13th do Beaver Pond, Jamaica. 
Wednesday, 14th do Hempstead Town. 
Thursday, 15th do Norv.'ich. 

I have the pleasure of being, sir, your most 
obedient and humble servant, 

James Long, 
Adjutant Queens County Militia. 



Orders from General Delmicey to Colonel 
Hamilton. 

Headquakters, L. \.,} 
THE 10th July, 1779. S 
To the Commander and every commissioned 
officer of Delancey's 3d Battalion, at Lloyd's 
Neck, &ca. , to the Colonel of Kings County 
Militia, Colonels of Queens County and 
Colonels of Suffolk County Militia, &ca. 
As by the duplicity and faint attachment 
to loyalty of some persons on tliis Island, that 
enjoy the protection of Government and have 
the benefits of a peaceable and profitable life, 
who have sons and near relations with the 
Rebels, taking a leading part in committing 
scandalous robberies, and secretly in the 
night carrying off peaceable and inoffensive 
inhabitants into captivity, the persons in this 
predicament may be assured that on proof of 
their connivance, abetting or assisting, se- 
creting or corresponding with such robbers, 
I will send over such fathers or masters with 
their whole families to Connecticut, and give 
j)ossession of their farm and property to be 
enjoyed by His Majesty's true and faithful 
subjects, who are to take a just and true in- 
ventory, on oath, of all the effects left by the 
owner, in the presence of three neighbors of 
good repute ; one copy to be left with me, 
one with the Justice of the Peace or nearest 
Captain of the Militia ; that they may be ac- 
countable for the value until they can prevail 
on the robbers to desist wholly from such de- 
testable action. These orders to be put in 
execution on due proof, and they are to cause 
the heads of such families to be apprehended 



and sent to me, with the report and proof of 
their crimes, that I may use tlie speediest 
means to rid His Majesty's Lines of such un- 
faithful, perjured subjects. 

Oliver Delancey, 
Brigadier General of Long Island. 



General Delancey to Colonel Hamilton. 

The inhabitants living on the shores and 
Necks of Long Island are to give the speedi- 
est notice, that the militia and other people 
near the approach of the enemy may take 
the alarm and muster to repel the enemy and 
cut off the retreat of their boats, by which 
they will merit thanks and rewards from 
their country for their alert behavior, of 
which thev have a recent instance in the spir- 
ited conduct of the Hempstead militia.* Any 
person knowing where these robbers intend 
to land or have landed, and from any feigned 
cause do not immediately communicate to the 
nearest militia officer his intelligence, will be 
treated with the greatest rigor, as being privy 
to and abetting the enemy's designs. 



R. O. July 14, 1779. Colonel Hamilton 
recommends and expects that General Delan- 
cey's orders will be strictly complied with, 
and makes not the least doubt, from the 
known spirit and loyalty of Queens County in 
general, that they will emulate the praise so 
worthily bestowed on the Hempstead compa- 
nies, by their General. 

The Captains are to immediately give in a 
return of their ammunition to Colonel Ham- 
ilton, and to be very punctual in their field- 
days for training the men and inspecting 
their arms, which they will be careful to 
keep in the best order. Colonel Hamilton 
will frequently attend such trainings himself. 



Colonel Hamilton to Major Kissam. 

R. O. July 16, 1779. By directions from 
General Delancey, Commandant of Long 
Island, the company on the southside of 
Hempstead Plains, with Captain Hewlett's 
troop of Light Horse, are to rendezvous at 
Hempstead upon any alarm, and those on the 
northside, including the companies of East 
Woods and Wolver Hollow, with Captain 

* See Revolutionary Incidents, p. 193. 



Young's troop of liight Horse, are to rendez- 
vous at the houses of Nathaniel Seaman and 
Richard Townsend, near Westbury Meeting- 
house. They are to bring three days' pro 
visions with them and to remain for orders. 
This to be done without further orders. 

This order is to be given to the different 
Captains in Hempstead and Oysterbay. 
A true copy. Robert Morkell, 
Adjutant. 



Colonel Hamilton to Major Kissam. 

R. O. July 17, 1779. By orders from the 
Commander-in-Chief, signified to Colonel 
Hamilton by General Delancey, the Major 
and Captains of the Regiment of Queens 
County Militia are required to meet Colonel 
Hamilton at the house of William Betts, 
tavern-keeper, in Jamaica, on Monday, 19th 
instant, at 9 o'clock, forenoon, on matters of 
importance. 

These orders are to be forwarded from one 
Captain to the other, in the Hempstead dis- 
trict. Signed by Robert Morreli>, 

Adjutant Queens County Militia. 



Colonel Hamilton to Major Kissam. 

R. 0. July 21, 1779. Major Kissam and 
the Captains of the Regiment are immedi- 
ately to give in a return to Colonel Hamilton 
of the situation, strength and number of 
their different guards, that he may be able to 
report the same to General Delancey, com- 
manding on Long Island. No boat of any 
kind, upon any pretence, is to carry passen- 
gers from Queens County across the Sound 
without a proper pass. Those who trans- 
gress will be severely punished for disobedi- 
ence of orders. 

Signed Robert Morrell, 

Adjutant Queens County Militia. 



R. 0. Aug. 4, 1779. Colonel Hamilton is 
greatly ashamed of and much chagrined with 
the misbehavior of the militia on the north- 
side of Long Island, the night that Justice 
Townsend was taken off.* He is at a loss to 
account for the difference of behavior between 
those on the northside and those on the south- 
side, who by their spirited behavior have 
gained honor to themselves and their officers. 



Queens County— 2d Series. 39 

Colonel Hamilton cannot help disapproving, 
in this public manner, of the behavior of Jus- 
tice Coles, who had the immediate command 
of the guard that night. A good soldier may 
be overpowered, but he can never be sur- 
prised. Colonel Hamilton desires that Major 
Kissam and the officers will take.care that the 
guards are sufficiently strong and properly 
posted. They ought likewise frequently to 
go rounds in the night frequently to see that 
the guards are alert, as upon that their own 
safety and the safety of the inhabitants de- 
pend. General Delancey directs that the 
hired guards, in place of being taken off, 
shall be reinforced, if necessary. The offi- 
cers are to take care that the guards are well 
armed and accoutered and provided with 
powder and ball. A particular set of good 
arms must always be kept for that duty, 
which are to be furnished from the different 
companies. 



♦ See Revolutionary Incidents (Queens Co., p. 217. 



Robert Morrell, Adjutant, to Major Kissam. 

R. 0. Aug. 29, 1779. Colonel Hamilton 
having received orders from General Delan- 
cey to furnish two hundred and ten men 
from the militia of Queens County, as a 
working party, who are to march to and 
parade on Brooklyn Heights on Monday 
morning, 23d instant, and to carry a blanket 
each with them. It is therefore Colonel 
Hamilton's orders that the Major and Cap- 
tains meet immediately and settle their pro- 
portion of men for this duty, and likewise 
their proportion of fortifying materials here 
after mentioned. 

A Captain and two subalterns are to attend 
this party. All duties of fatigue are to begin 
with the youngest, and every officer to do his 
own duty. 
3,500 fascines, 9 feet long, well bound, and 

stript of their leaves ; 
15,000 pickets, of 3 feet and 4 feet long ; 
7,000 railing, of 4 inches or 6 inches ; 
3,000 palisades, of 7 and 8 inches in diameter 

and 10 feet long. 

These, when completed, are to be sent to 
the Magazine at Brooklyn. Colonel Hamil- 
ton expects and requests that both officers 
and men will be very assiduous in performing 
this service, that we may still deserve the 
name of Loyal Queens County. 

No person whatsoever is to be excused 
from this duty on account of age. Those 



40 



Revoia'Tionart Incidents 



who have not. servants must hire a man in 
their room, if they can afford it. Tlie work- 
in<^ party is to be relieved every Monday 
iiiornin":. witli the same number of men, till 
furtlier orders. 



Colonel Hamilton to Major Kmnm. 

R. O. Aug. 31, 1779. Colonel Hamilton 
having received a letter from General Delan- 
cev, acquainting him that he has received a 
complaint from Kings County that some of 
the districts in Queens County have been de- 
ficient in their quota of men for the working 
party, Colonel Hamilton therefore assures 
the Regiment that he will make a strict en- 
quiry where the deficiency has been, and the 
Captain of the district may depend upon being 
severely fined. Colonel Hamilton is much 
hurt and extremely sorry to think that a 
complaint should be made from Kings County 
against loyal Queens County, of their being 
remiss in the service of their King ; they 
who have so often stood forth in the worst of 
times in opposition to Delegates and Con- 
gressmen, which is not the characteristic of 
every county. These orders are to be read at 
the head of each company. 

All militia soldiers who have enlisted in 
either of the Regiment Light Troops since 
the roster for the working-party has been 
settled, are still to be enrolled in their former 
companies till the working duty is completed, 
and in case of refusal to be fined as formerly. 



Samuel Tredwell, Clerk of Regiment, to Major 
Kissam. 

R. O. Sept. 2, 1779. As Colonel Hamil- 
ton finds there is a great neglect and remiss- 
ness in the officers relieving one another in 
the working party at the Ferry, to prevent 
such neglect for the future, it is Colonel 
Hamilton's orders that Lieutenant Marr, of 
Captain Van Dyne's company, shall tal^e the 
command of the working party till it is fin- 
ished, and Colonel Hamilton will be answer- 
able that he shall be sufficiently rewarded for 
his trouble by a fine which will be levied 
upon all the officers. Lieutenant Marr is im- 
mediately to join and take command of the 
party. 



Colonel O, (J. Ludlow to Major Kissam. 

Hempstead, August 31st, 1779. 
Sir : — By good intelligence just received, a 
party of Rebels in five whaleboats left Nor- 
walk, Friday last, intending to be over on the 
Island and carry off General Delancey. They 
sent a single whaleboat and left one man that 
evening, and another man on Cow Neck on 
Saturday night to procure information. The 
party are most probably now concealed on 
the north shore opposite your Neck, waiting 
for a signal. You will therefore take such 
steps as you may judge proper to cut off their 
boats, or intercept their retreat in case they 
should land. The Captain of the "Scor- 
pion" is already informed by express. Cap- 
tain Cornell will inform you respecting the 
attempt on Richard Townsend* last night. I 
have only to recommend that your measures 
may be secret, lest they take the alarm and 
put off their enterprise. 



Colonel Hamilton to Major Kissam. 

Sept. 6, 1779. Dear Sir : — I am this in- 
stant favored with your letter enclosing the 
seaman's affidavit against John Worden, 
whom I have set at liberty till he has time to 
get his evidence. I must own I think the 
affidavits rather vague. I beg my compli- 
ments to your family. 



Samuel Tredwell, Clerk, to Major Kissam. 

R. O. Oct. 9, 1779. All the Captains of 
the Regiment of Queens County Militia are 
immediately to give in a return to the Adju- 
tant, of the number of wagons and horses in 
each of their districts. The troopers will 
each reserve one horse for the troop service, 
which is not to be returned in this return. 



Samuel Tredwell, Clerk of Regiment of Qxieens 
County Militia, to Major Kissam. 
R. O. Oct, 15, 1779. As there are several 
drivers immediately wanted for His Majesty's 
service in the Quartermaster General's de- 
partment, the Captains of the Regiment of 
Queens County Militia are to give in a return, 
as soon as possible, to the Adjutant, of the 
number of Refugee negroes in each of their 
districts, in order that they may be sent down 

* See Hfvoliitioiinry Incidpiits. p. 181. 



Queens County — 2d Series. 



41 



to Brooklyn. Tliey will be wanted but for a 
short time, and probably on the Island only. 
Colonel Hamilton flatters himself that the 
Captains will exert themselves in this duty. 



Headquakters, New York, } 
November 24th, 1779. S 

Sir : — By order of His Excellency, the 
Commander-in-Chief, I send herewith a num- 
ber of proclamations, which you will please 
I direct to be put up in different parts of your 
district for the information of the inhab- 
itants. 

It is also the Commander-in-Chief's desire 
that where the wood has not been cut off the 
Rebel lands by the persons that obtained the 
Commandant's permission for that purpose, 
that you do immediately give leave to any 
persons that may apply, to cut the same for 
the supply of the market ; the wood that 
may have been cut in consequence of the 
Commandant's permission, and that is still 
lying in the woods, from the incapacity of 
the owners to bring the same to proper land- 
ings, it is the Commander-in-Chief's direction 
that you immediately order the neighboring 
farmers to cart the same to the landings, the 
owners paying the rates for carting that shall 
be fixed by you, with the advice of three of 
the most respectable farmers in your district. 
If the owners of such cut wood do not apply 
to you for the assistance of the farmers to 
cart the same, you are authorized by the 
proclamation to allow any person who can 
cart the same to the landings, to take the 
wood, paying the owner for the cutting, at 
such rates as may be settled by you and three 
neighboring farmers. 

His Excellency also desires that within 
fourteen days you make a return to the Com- 
mandant of this city, of the names of all pro- 
prietors of woodland who do not, in conse 
quence of his proclamation, immediately cut 
and send to this market a proper proportion 
of their wood. I have the honor to be, sir, 
your most obedient humble servant. 

Signed John Smith, Secretary. 



Regulations for the Captains of the Militia 
and Justices of the Peace for Queens 
County. 



1. The troops cantoned in each district in 
Queens County are to be supplied with fuel 
by the inhabitants of the neighborhood. 

2. The Captain of the Militia and the Jus- 
tice of the Peace living in the same district 
are to join in assessing on the inhabitants of 
the beat the requisite quantity of wood. 
Those who have no woodlands, and are of 
ability, will furnish in proportion. 

3. In those districts in which any troops 
are hutted, the inhabitants, by direction of 
the Captain of Militia, are to cart the wood 
to the Common Yard and to unload as or- 
dered by the Barrack Master, or Quartermas- 
ter of the Regiment, in his absence ; but 
where the troops are cantoned or billeted* on 
the inhabitants, the Captains of the Militia 
are so to regulate the matter that each inhab- 
itant may supply the nearest fire, the whole 
in the district, nevertheless, to bear an equal 
proportion on the quantity requisite, by as- 
sessment. 

4. Such wagons and horses as may from 
time to time be wanted by the Commissary 
General or Barrack Master General's depart- 
ment, or by commanding officers of corps, on 
emergency, for the purpose of carting pro- 
visions, forage, feed or baggage, are also to 
be supplied by the Captain of the Militia, 
who will regulate this service with all possi- 
ble equality among the inhabitants who have 
teams, in their respective districts. 

5. Where different corps are billeted in the 
same district, the Captain of the Militia will 
so regulate the farmers and their teams as 
will best facilitate the supplies. 

6. In all cases of difliculty that may arise 
in the due execution of these regulations, the 
Captains of Militia will apply to the Colonel 
of Militia for his directions and aid, who will 
apply to the General oflScer of the district, if 
necessary, and every inhabitant who shall 
pay neglect or disobedience to the order of 
the Captain of his district, for the purposes 
aforementioned, will be fined according to 
the degree of neglect or offence. The fines 
to be regulated by the captain and acting 
magistrate in their respective districts, and 
to be levied by the Captain and reserved by 
him for such public use in the township as 
may hereafter be directed. 

William Tryon, Major General. 
Jamaica, 27th November, 1779. 

♦The billeting of poldiers is explained on page 64 of 
Queens County in Olden Times. 



42 



Revolutionary Incidents 



JAciitenntit Jamen Marr to Majoi' Kissam. 
Brooklyn, October 26th, 1779. 
SiK : — I received your letter tliis day, about 
2 o'clock this afternoon, in behalf of Captain 
Woolley's company making their proportion 
of fascines and pickets in their own districts ; 
and the favor is granted by the engineer, and 
me likewise. The dimensions for the fas- 
cines are : they are to be nine feet long, well 
bound with live withs each, the leaves stript 
off, and made very straight ; the pickets four 
feet six inches long, well pointed and straight. 
The number each week required by the en- 
gineer is one thousand fascines, and three 
pins for each fascine. The engineer will 
try one week's work, and if it will answer, 
you may continue them in your own districts 
and send them to Brooklyn once every week. 
The whole dependence of good fascines lies 
on Queens County, for the front part of the 
works. No more such favors will be granted 
by the engineer to the rest of the militia. 



R. O. Dec. 2, 1779. The Cai)tain8 of 
Queens County Militia are immediately to 
give in a return of the quantity of woodland 
in each of their districts, to the Adjutant, 
specifying those whose former owners Avere 
or are in rebellion. They will likewise dis- 
tinguish the Rebel lands that have protec- 
tions, mentioning by whom granted and to 
whom. Colonel Hamilton expects that those 
who have woodlands will immediately cut a 
certain quantity agreeable to His Excellency 
the Commander-in-Chief's proclamation, for 
supplying the inhabitants of New York. 
Any who neglect or refuse may depend upon 
having their names returned to the Com- 
mandant of New York, according to the 
Commander-in-Chief's instructions to Colonel 
Hamilton, and the Captains of Militia are re- 
quested to be very particular in seeing this 
put in execution. 



Dec. 9, 1779. Colonel Hamilton orders 
that the three troops of Light Horse will 
turn out at the first alarm, and rendez- 
vous as follows : Captain Whitehead's troop 
at Major (Jeneral Tryon's quarters, at Ja- 
maica, except a sergeant's party, consisting 
of a corporal and ten men, who will immedi- 
ately repair to Major (leneral Huyne's quar 
ters, or oHicer commanding in Flushing ; and 



a corporal and three dragoons to remain in 
Newtown, with the commanding officer there. 
Captain Hewlett's troop will rendezvous, with 
all expedition, at Brigadier tJeneial Delan- 
cey's quarters, at Westbury, and Captain 
Youngs', with equal alertness, at Hunting- 
ton, Brigadier General Leland's quarters ; 
or, in case of that command's being removed, 
to rendezvous at Lloyd's Neck, with the pro- 
vincial troops posted there. 



Robert Morrell, Adjutant, to Major Kismm. 
Flusiiino, December 17tii, 1779. 

Sir : — You will please to send these orders 
to the Captains of Oysterbay and Hempstead, 
inmiediately. I should not have troubled 
the Major with the whole of them had it not 
been for the unhappy misfortune that hap- 
pened last Sunday in my family, by losing 
my youngest child by a scald. Therefore I 
humbly beg the Major's assistance at this 
present time, whilst under affliction. I could 
have wished to write more particularly to 
you, sir, but having a heart full of trouble, 
so that I am not able to express myself fully 
to the Major as I could wish to do, therefore 
I hope the Major will excuse me at this pres- 
ent time. Dear sir, by complying with my 
request you will forever oblige your sincere 
friend and well-wisher. Sir, I have one 
thing more to mention to you, sir : that is to 
order the Captains of the Militia in Hemp- 
stead and Oysterbay to send in a return 
agreeable to the proposal, when we met at 
Jamaica last, about the number of horses, 
wagons and ox -teams. Some of the Captains 
have sent in their return, and some have not. 
I am, sir, with great regard, sir, and remain 
your most obedient humble servant. 

P. S. — Sir, you need not send any orders to 
the Captains at Oysterbay, for two Captains 
of the Militia were at my house, about half 
an hour after I wrote this letter to you, sir, 
and they promise to send the orders to the 
Captains of Oysterbay township ; but the or- 
ders please send as soon as possible to the 
Captains in Hempstead, and one order to 
Captain Hewlett, who commands the troop of 
horse. 



Colonel Ilamilton to Major Kissam. 

Dec. 18, 1779. I am to beg you will be so 
good as to assist Mr. Willett, of the Quarter- 



Queens County— 2d Series. 



43 



master General's department, in procuring 
fire- wood for the troops. In case there is no 
Rebel woods, (which ought ever to go the 
first), there will be a necessity of allotting a 
part of every large wood for His Majesty's 
service, wliich must be valued, and will be 
paid for by the Quartermaster General. This 
is the mode adopted in Kings County, and 
which I think extremely proper. The wood 
must be valued standing, by three respecta- 
ble farmers, and confirmed by you. I beg to 
hear from you. 

Colonel Hamilton to Mr. Thome. 

Dec. 31, 1779. The situation of the garri- 
son of New York for want of wood is so 
alarming that I am to beg (if possible) you 
will fall upon some method, and point out 
where Mr. Miller may cut about five hun- 
dred cords of wood, for which he will pay. 
You will be kind enough to consult the Major 
upon this subject, to whom I beg my compli- 
ments. 

Colonel Hamilton to Major Kissam. 

Flushing, January 22d, 1780. 
Dear Sir : — I have received a letter from 
Governor Try on, acquainting me that, as the 
Quarter Master General's department has 
given up Kings County to the Barrack Mas- 
ter General's department to cut wood in, that 
I will therefore purchase a number of acres 
from the proprietors of woodlands upon the 
Necks and Success Pond, for the use of the 
Qaartermaster General's department only. I 
am therefore to desire that you will be so 
good as to assist me in this particular on the 
Necks, and prevent any other department 
from interfering with the Quartermaster Gen- 
eral, till further orders. Enclosed I send you 
General Tryon's letter, and if you can fall 
upon any plan that will fully answer the pur- 
pose of Government, and at the same time be 
more eligible to the subject, I beg you may 
adopt it. I beg to have the pleasure of hear- 
ing from you upon this head. I am likewise 
to beg that you will order large and frequent 
patrols in the night along your shore, to give 
timely notice in case the Rebels should take 
advantage of the ice and attempt a descent. 

Colonel Hamilton to Major Kissam. 

Feb. 4, 1780. I am this instant favored 
with your letter of this date, informing me 



of the system you have adopted for furnish- 
ing the Quartermaster General's department 
with a certain quantity of fuel. I very much 
approve of it, as it will equally be of service 
to the department and moie convenient for 
the inhabitants. We are very alert here, 
[Flushing]. I have constantly militia dra- 
goons patroling the shore and avenues during 
the night. I wish you would follow the 
same method. I am sorry to find you have 
got frost-bit. I have just heard, I know not 
with what certainty, that General Kniphau- 
sen marched yesterday, with seven thousand 
troops, in search of Washington. I sincerely 
wish you better. 

R. 0. Feb. 4, 1780. A great jealousy 
arises between the Captains of the Foot and 
Horse, very prejudicial to the service at pres- 
ent required, upon account of the soldiers' 
leaving the foot companies and enlisting into 
the troop. To remedy this evil Colonel Ham 
ilton orders that the Captains of the troop, 
for the future, shall be answerable for their 
men in every respect, as well for carting or 
other fatigue, as for their duty as troopers. 
The Captains of the foot, therefore, are not to 
interfere in warning or fining the troopers, 
upon any account or pretence, but are to 
apply to the Captains commanding such 
troops, who will (and are hereby required to) 
take care that such duty is performed. At 
the same time. Colonel Hamilton assures the 
Regiment that if just complaints are made 
against the troopers for any neglect of fa 
tigues, the Captain of such troop may depend 
upon being severely fined. Any fines that 
may have been levied by the Captains of the 
foot from the troopers since the patrols were 
first in orders, are immediately to be returned 
to the owners. 



R. O. Feb. 7, 1780. Colonel Hamilton 
desires that the officers of the Regiment of 
Loyal Queens County will provide them- 
selves immediately each with a uniform or 
regimentals. It is to be scarlet, faced with 
blue, with white lining, white waistcoat and 
breeches, and silver buttons, with a silver 
epaulet, a weil cocked hat with silver button 
and loops and silver hat-band. Whatever 
officer appears upon any duty without his 
regimentals or side-arms may depend upon 
being fined half a Joe for the entertainment 



44 



Rkvot-utionary Incidents 



of liis brother officers. Colonel Hamilton I nel H. therefore trusts it will be cheerfully 
again recommends it to the officers to be very complied with. Colonel Hamilton likewise 
careful in inspecting the men's arms and am- , desires that the f'aptains will take care that 
munition, as we do not know but we may be , no straw is destroyed by throwing it into 



called upon every moment. 

[A true copy.] Samuel Tredwell,, 
Clerk of Regiment Queens County Militia. 



M<ij(y)' General Tryon to Colonel Hamilton. 
New York, February 11th, 1780. 
Sir : — Major Bruen, Deputy Quartermaster 
General, having represented to me that the 
difficulty that attends his wood-cutters in the 
vicinity of Ureat Neck, Little Neck or Suc- 
cess Pond, for want of having a tract of wood- 
land contiguous for furnishing his depart- 
ment with wood, I am to desire you will lay 
out thirty acres of good woodland, (or order 
the same to be laid out), in one tract, most 
commodious for the landing ; agreeing with 
the proprietors of the same either for the 
purchase of the said tract or to pay for it at 
the regulated price per cord, as yourself, the 
proprietors and the person emjiloyed by 
Major Bruen shall think most eligible. The 
proprietors of said tract, if necessary, to be 
permitted to cut wood from their neighbors' 
woodlands, what shall be necessary for their 
family or plantation use, they paying the 
regulated price for the same. 



Colonel Hamilton to Major Klssam. 

Feb. 11, 1780. Enclosed I send you a let- 
ter from His Excellency Governor Tryon, 
which you will be so good as to see put in 
execution. If you find any difficulty, I beg 
to see you. 

Samuel Tredwell, Clerk, to Major Kissam. 

R. 0. Feb. 25th, 1780. The army being 
in great want of forage at present, and Major 
General Tryon having given an order that 
Queens County shall furnish Mr. Cutler, 
Commissary of Forage, with a quantity of 
hay for His Majesty's service. Colonel Hamil- 
ton therefore desires that the Captains will 
meet Mr. Cutler and settle with him about it 
in proportion to the quantity of hay they 
have in each district, retaining as much only 
as will be sufficient for their stock of cattle 
till the pa.sture gets up. This mode is 
adopted equally for the ease of the inhabit- 
ants as for the good of the service, and (Jolo- 



dung, as that article is much wanted for the 
troops. 

Colonel Hamilton to Major Kissam, per favor 

Mr. Cornell. 

March 15, 1780. As I am confident that 
Governor Tryon never meant to distress any 
person (in particular) under the protection of 
Government, and as I am fully convinced 
from your representation that the protections 
obtained to cut firewood from off the lands of 
John Cornell, of Cow Neck, have been from 
misinformation, I am therefore to desire that 
you will suspend in the mean time any order 
for cutting wood that is injurious, until I 
have the honor of laying it before His Excel- 
lency. If there are any others in the same 
predicament with John Cornell, I beg you 
may inform me of it. 



Colonel Hamilton to Major Kiss/im, per Mr. 

Appleby. 

New York, March 28d, 1780. 

I am favored with your letter of 23d March, 
by Mr. Appleby, and am to desire you will 
suspend any order that you think (from the 
situation or quantity of the woodland) may 
have been obtained by misrepresentation. I 
am in town, now, relative to the affair of 
wood-cutting, and expect to acquaint you by 
express, on Sunday or Monday, of the final 
determination. You may assure the gentle- 
men in your neighborhood that I will spare 
neither trouble uor expense to obtain them 
relief. 



Colonel Hamilton to Major Kissam. 

March 26th, 1780. I am to desire that you 
will suspend any cutting from off the lands 
of Mr. Appleby, until you shall hear from 
me again, as I mentioned it to General Tryon, 
and he left it to me. You will likewise sus- 
pend the order for cutting upon the lands of 
Daniel liegeman, if you think in justice it 
ought to be. But this is left to yourself. 
As to the order upon John Cornell, it is en- 
tirely revoked, by order of (General Tryon. 
Governor Robertson is now our Governor. 
General Tryon goes home. [He is sick abed 



Queens County — 2d Series. 



45 



with gout, at Flatbush]. We must address 
him in the most grateful and affectionate 
manner.* The sixty cords of wood cut in 
John Cornell's woods are to be carried oflf by 
Hicks, he paying the regulated price. 

Major General Smith's Orders, March 8, 1780. 
The inhabitants having made frequent 
complaints of people's cutting their woods 
witliout producing authority for so doing. In 
future, if on application the order is not pro- 
duced or not thought sufficient, the proprie- 
tor or person who has the care of the wood is 
to apply to the Commanding Officer of the 
troops nearest him, who is desired to oblige 
them to produce their order. If it appears to 
be from proper authority, they are to be per- 
mitted to proceed, complying exactly with 
the contents of the order as to quantity, pay- 
ment, &c. Should any be found cutting 
without proper authority, they are to be con- 
fined and reported to the General or Com- 
manding Officer in whose district they are. 
If the authority to cut wood appears doubt- 
ful, it is immediately to be sent to Major 
General Smith, that it may be cleared up. 
This order is to be made public among the 
inhabitants and wood-cutters. 

Charles Handfield, Aid-de-Camp, 

Brooklyn, May Ist, 1780. 
To Major Kissam. 

Sir : — The above copy of an order I have 
sent you by direction of Major General Smith, 
who desires you will see it complied with by 
Andrew Lyons and others cutting the wood- 
lands on Cow Neck or elsewhere in your 
neighborhood. 

Charles Handfield, Aid de-Camp. 

Colonel Hamilton to Major Kissam. 

R. O. April 15, 1780. By order of His 
Excellency Governor Robertson, Major Gen- 
eral of His Majesty's forces, &c. , &c., no 
standing timber is to be cut for the future by 
authority of any former permissions. At the 
same time, whatever timber has been cut by 

* Died, in London, January 27, 1788, Lieutenant 
General William Tiyon, Colonel of 29th Foot. His 
remains were deposited in the family vault at Twick- 
enham. He was a statesman of wisdom and philoso- 
phy, an illustrious legislator, and of a benevolent 
heart. His princely munificence will make his name 
revered across the Atlantic while virtue and sensibil- 
ity Km&\n.—GentlemanU Magazine, 1788 8; 1829. 



protections from His Excellency Governor 
Tryon, or other proper protection, and is still 
lying in the woods, the cutters are to be per- 
mitted to cart it off, they first paying the 
regulated price to the owners, which is six- 
teen shillings for nut and twelve shillings 
for oak wood, per cord. Any timber that has 
been cut for ship-building, &c. , is to be cal- 
culated into cords and paid for, agreeable to 
the above regulation. Whatever timber has 
been cut without proper permission is not to 
be carried off upon any pretence, without the 
consent of the proprietors. It is expected 
that the owners of said timber will have the 
generosity and justice to pay the cutters for 
their labor. This order is not to interfere 
with any of the different departments that 
are cutting timber for His Majesty's service. 
The Captains of each district are to read this 
order at the head of their respective compa- 



Robert Morrell, Adjutant, (fee, to Major Kis- 
sam. 

Sir : — You will please to take copy of this 
order and send it to the Clerk, so that it may 
be forwarded to the Captains of Oysterbay 
and Hempstead : 

To Mr. Samuel Tredwell, Clerk of Queens 
County Militia, Success. 

Cow Neck, April 21st, 1780. 
You'll please to copy and forward the above 
orders to the different Captains in Hempstead 
and Oysterbay, as soon as conveniently you 
can. John Kissam, 

Major Queens County Militia. 

On His Majesty's Service. With speed. 
Robert Morrell, Adjutant, to Major Kissam. 

Colonel Hamilton desired me, last evening, 
to give his most respectful compliments to 
Major Kissam and beg that he will do him- 
self the pleasure to meet him on Thursday, 
the 23d, at 9 o'clock on the morning, at Hol- 
royd's tavern, on Hempstead Plains, as the 
Captains of the Regiment are to meet him 
there on business of great consequence. 

Colonel Hamilton* orders John Parker to 
press horse for the purpose of this letter. 

* 1778, October. Colonel Hamilton came into a 
house, in Flushing, where Thomas Kelly was, and 
because he did not pull off his hat he beat him with 
the butt-end of bis horsewhip and cut him through 
his hat into his head. In December he abused him 
in the same manner. 



46 



Revolutionart Incidents 



Regimental Orders, April 27, 1880. 

His Excellency Governor Robertson having 
made a demand upon Queens County for one 
hundred and twenty-four liorses for His 
Majesty's service, to be delivered to tlie Quar- 
termaster Creneral's department, for which 
they will receive cash, Colonel Hamilton 
therefore desires that the Captains of each 
district will without delay raise their quota, 
which is nine horses per company, by pur- 
chase, as they did last spring. The horses 
are to be valued by Colonel Hamilton and 
some of the principal gentlemen in the neigh- 
borhood. The deficiency, if any, will be 
made up, as formerly, by a small cess upon 
each district, agreeable to their estates and 
ability, which will be scarcely felt among so 
many. Colonel Hamilton has been so long 
acquainted with the loyalty of Queens County, 
and with theiir cheerfulness and readiness 
upon every occasion where His Majesty's ser- 
vice was concerned, that he is convinced that 
this first request of His Excellency, our new 
Governor, will with pleasure be complied 
with, as it is His Excellency's wish and 
desire that everything should be carried on 
with moderation and ease to the subject. 
None but good and serviceable horses will be 
received, and none above ten years old. The 
day and place of delivery will be mentioned 
in the next orders. 

Major Kissam will please to take a copy of 
these orders, and then send them to the 
Clerk, and order them to be sent to the Cap- 
tains of Oysterbay and Hempstead. 



Regimental Orders, May 19, 1780. 

The Captains of Queens County Militia are 
immediately to give a return of every farm, 
house and place (belonging to the Rebels or 
to people out of His Majesty's Lines) in their 
respective districts, to Colonel Hamilton, 
specifying the quality of the dwelling-house 
and outhouses, with the quantity of land, 
distinguishing the arable ground, meadow 
and woodland. They are likewise to report 
the names of the present occupiers, and by 
what authority. This return is to be made 
as soon as po.ssible, that Colonel H. may be 
enabled to make his report to the gentlemen 
authorized by His Excellency (Jovernor Rob- 
ertson to enquire into these matters. 



R. O. June 8, 1780. To Majw Kissam. 

Colonel Hamilton having received orders 
from Major General Smith, Commanding on 
Long Island, to be in readiness to march, 
with the Regiment of Queens County Militia, 
on the least alarm, he therefore directs that 
the Captains and officers do immediately pa- 
rade and inspect into the condition of their 
different companies and troops, taking care 
that the amis and ammunition be in the best 
order both for defence and attack ; and as we 
do not know how soon the Rebels may at- 
tempt to land on this Island, as so many of 
the King's troops are gone upon the present 
expedition in the Jerseys, Colonel Hamilton 
likewise requires that they will be very alert 
and give him every information by express 
in case of any attempt of the enemy to land, 
and he expects that they will gallantly and 
loyally make head against them, and give 
every exerticm of opposition until they are 
reinforced, whicii they may rest assured will 
soon be the case. 

Flushing, June 9Tir, 1780. 
It is Colonel Hamilton's orders that Cap- 
tains of the Regiment do furnish the remain- 
der of their hors^s agreeable to His Excel- 
lency Major General Robertson's request, on 
Tuesday, 13th instant, at 9 o'clock in the 
morning, at the Half Moon tavern, in Ja- 
maica ; and there will be the Quartermaster 
General's department to receive them, and 
the Colonel intends to be there the same time. 



Regimental Orders, June 21, 1780. 

Agreeable to His Excellency Governor Rob- 
ertson's proclamation of the 16th instant. 
Colonel Hamilton expects and desires that 
Major Kissam and the Captains of Queens 
County Militia will meet him on Saturday, 
24th instant, at the house of William Betts, 
tavern-keeper, in Jamaica, at 11 o'clock, fore- 
noon, to concert proper measures for furnish- 
ing our proportion of fuel demanded. This 
order to be forwarded from Captain to Cap- 
tain immediately. 

Samuel Tkedweli,, Clerk. 



Robert Morrell, Adjutant, to Major Kissam. 
Flushing, July 3d, 1780. 
Colonel Hamilton desired me to write to 
you in respect to settling a dispute betwixt 



Queens County — 2d Series. 



47 



Mr. Woolley and one Baxter & Suiffins, of 
Cow Neck, about a craft that was stolen from 
Mr. Woolley by a black man, but now in 
possession of Baxter & Sniffins. They claim 
her as their property, because they say they 
bought her from an armed vessel. There- 
fore the Colonel would be glad if 

would see this matter settled, as he has suffi- 
cient authority for so doing ; and as it is in 
his neighborhood, it will save them some ex- 
pense. 



Regimental Orders. To M'ljor Kissam 

July 26, 1780. Colonel Hamilton having 
received orders last night from Major General 
Smith, commanding on Long Island, direct- 
ing that a state of the arms and accoutre- 
ments, &c. , belonging to the Regiment of 
Queens County Militia, shall immediately 
be given in. He therefore orders that the 
Captains do call their different companies to- 
gether as soon as possible and inspect most 
carefully into the state and condition of their 
arms. &c. , and giving an immediate return to 
him, specifying the number fit for service, 
and those that are not, that Colonel Hamilton 
may be enabled to report to General Smith, 
agreeable to his order. 

We cannot be too speedy or too careful 
upon this head, when the natural and perfidi- 
ous enemy of Britain [the French] are so near 
us ; and therefore we do not know how soon 
we may be called upon to oppose them, which 
must fill the breast of every Briton and de- 
scendant from Britons with real ardor. 



Innerwick, July 318t, 1780. 
Colonel Hamilton desires that Esq. Kissam, 
Major Kissam, the Captains and respectable 
inhabitants of Queens County will meet him 
at John Holroyd's* inn, on Hempstead Plains, 
on Saturday, August 5th, at 12 o'clock, in 

* Holrnyd kept a tuvern called " The Three Tone," 
where Joseph D. Armstrong now live!*. The following 
gentlemen met and signed the address in behalf of 
the county : 

Colonel Uamllton, Valentine H. Peters, Esq., 
Thomas Willett, Esq., Richard Alsop, E^'q., Joseph 
French, Esq., Captain Charles Hicks, Captain Richard 
Betis, Captain Thomas Van Wyck, Captain Albert 
Hoogland, Major Kissam. Daniel Kissam, Esq., Sam- 
uel Clowes, Esq., John Hewlett, Esq , Dr. Adam Sea- 
bury, Captain Benjamin Hewlett, Captain Charles 
Cornwell, Captain George Kapelye, Thomas Smith, 
Esq. — .Vfe Herolutionari/ InciilenU. pp 170, 240. 



order to form an address to His Excellency 
Governor Robertson. 

Samuel Tredwell, 
Clerk of Regiment of Queens County Militia. 



PJdllip John TAvingstoii to Major Kissam, 

Oysterhay. 

Hellgate, September 1, 1780. 

Sir : — His Excellency Lieutenant General 
Robertson having determined that the prop- 
erty of Rebels, or persons living amongst 
them without the Lines, should be divided 
amongst the Refugee families, persons driven 
from their estates by the Rebels, or fled on 
account of their loyalty; and being informed 
that you do not come under the above des- 
cription, and have obtained an order for the 
farm of Richard Jackson, lying in the town 
of Oysterbay, which you have hired to oth- 
ers, has directed rae to inform you that he 
hereby countermands the order for the above 
farm heretofore given you by General Daniel 
Jones, and that an order to possess the same 
by the first day of October next will be given 
to one or more distressed Refugee families, 
of which you will be pleased to take notice 
and advise the tenant or tenants who now 
hold the farm or any part of it under you, or 
any others concerned. Your tenant has leave 
to take ofE any fall crops from the ground, 
and the tenant who succeeds yours will have 
directions to pay you your bill for necessary 
repairs (if any) done the houses and farm, 
twelve months' time being allowed for pay- 
ment of the same ; the amount of which, in 
case of dispute, the General has ordered to be 
ascertained by three respectable referees of 
the neighborhood, chosen by the parties, as 
in other cases of reference. 



R. O. To Major Kissam, Cow Neck. 

Sep. 8, 1780. As Colonel Hamilton has it 
much at heart, for the honor of Queens 
County, that their proportion of fuel for the 
use of the garrison of New York, agreeably 
to His Excellency Governor Robertson's re- 
quest, should be completed in due time, he 
therefore again desires that the Major, Cap- 
tain and officers will exert themselves and 
take care that it is properly delivered, the 
Captains to be accountable for the wood of 
their respective districts, and to receive the 



48 



Revolutionary Incidents 



receipts from the persons appointed by the 
Barrack Master General for the quantity de- 
livered, who will make return at least once a 
week to Colonel Hamilton, that he may be 
enal)led to report from time to time to His 
Excellency the Governor and to the Barrack 
Master General. Colonel Hamilton cannot 
refrain, upon this occasion, to congratulate 
the county on the glorious news just con- 
firmed of the important success gained by His 
Majesty's troops in the' Carolinas over the 
combined legions of misled and infatuated 
men under the command of that arch-rebel, 
Horatio Gates. 

Samuel Tredwell, Clerk. 



Colonel Hamilton to Major Kissam. 

Sept. 16, 1780. As I have it much at 
heart, the furnishing of our proportion of 
fuel for the garrison of New York, I am to 
beg you will be so good as to send me, by the 
Orderly dragoon, a return of what has been 
cut and carted in your district. Tell Mr. 
Okisson I am a good deal surprised that I 
have not heard from him before now. The 
oftener he communicates with me upon this 
head the better. I beg my best compliments 
to your father and to all the family. 



Regimental Orders, Sept. 20, 1780. 

Colonel Hamilton having received an order 
from His Excellency Governor Robertson, 
desiring that he will give directions to the 
inhabitants of Queens County that they do 
immediately thresh out their oats, which is 
very much wanted at present for His Majes- 
ty's service, and deliver them to the Commis- 
sary's, at Jamaica and Flushing, for which 
they will receive ready money. Colonel 
Hamilton therefore orders that the Captains 
of Militia will see this punctually performed 
in their respective districts, and be answera- 
ble that the oats are delivered by Monday, 
25th instant, as above directed. Colonel 
Hamilton begs that the Major will exert him- 
self to the eastward, so that this order may 
be speedily complied with. Whoever ne- 
glects or refuses this order must blame them- 
selves if they are foraged upon. Each 
trooper of the Regiment is to retain as much 
oats and fresh hay as will serve one troop 
horse during the winter. The Captains of 



the different troops to be answerable that no 
abuse is made of this order. 



Regimental Orders, Sept. 28, 1780. 

Colonel Hamilton having just received an 
order from His Excellency Governor Robert- 
son to give directions that his proclamation 
relative to the forage be immediately carried 
into execution and completed by the 20th Oc- 
tober. Colonel Hamilton therefore desires 
and requires that the Captains and officers of 
the Militia will exert themselves upon this 
head and give in returns of those who are 
able to cart it to Brooklyn, and likewise of 
those who would wish to deliver it at their 
own barns. To prevent mistakes, and that 
we may be able to settle both the forage and 
fuel service at once. Colonel Hamilton desires 
that the Major and all the Captains will meet 
him, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon, in Jamai- 
ca, at the house of William Betts, tavern- 
keeper, on Monday, October 2d, where an 
officer of the Quartermaster General's depart- 
ment will attend. Any Captain that cannot 
come must send an officer of the company. 



His Majesty's akmed Galley, the \ 
"Crane," Cow B.vy, Deo. 2d, 1780. S 
To John Kissnm, Major 2d Battalion Militia. 
Sir : — I received yours and am sorry I 
cannot comply with your desire ; it not being 
consistent with my duty as an officer in the 
British service, to impress any person and 
then to discharge him, upon application from 
his friends ; but I assure you I shall make 
everything easy to him that is consistent with 
the service. I am, sir, your very humble 
servant, Rowland Phillips. 



Westbury, December 5th, 1780. 
To Major Kissam, in His Majesty's service. 

Sir : — You are desired to direct some of 
my soldiers to get wagons from the inhab- 
itants of Cow Bay, to carry off the oats from 
on board a ship now lying in the Bay. Being 
under marching ordere every day, I shall em- 
ploy these here wagons to fetch provisions. 
I remain, with great regard, sir, your obedi- 
ent servant, 

De Wurmb, Lieutenant-Colonel. 



Queens County— 3d Series. 



49 



Lieutenant- Colonel De Wurrrib to Major Kis- 

gam. 

Westbury, December 29th, 1780. 

I have repeatedly requested the officers of 
the Militia to provide for the necessary fuel 
for the troops in quarters and for their differ- 
ent pickets, on the same footing as has been 
usual in former times ; but I cannot yet per- 
ceive that any regulations have been made 
for that purpose ; and if a speedy supply of 
fire-wood will not take place, I shall not be 
able to account for any disorders which might 
attend such unseasonable delays. In order to 
prevent this, I am to request you, sir, to be 
so kind and give such directions as will in- 
duce the inhabitants at Cow Neck, the Har- 
bor, Cedar Swamp, Wheatly, Wolfer's-hol- 
low, &c., &c., to bring a sufficient quantity 
of fire-wood to Herricks, Searing-town, the 
Northside, Westbury, Jericho and Norwich, 
without loss of time ; for I think it very 
unreasonable that those inhabitants whose 
houses are full of men and subject to many 
inconveniences attending it, should be obliged 
to find every necessaries, and in particular 
that of fire-wood, when others, their neigh- 
bors are free from all incommodities. The 
fruitless application which I have heretofore 
made to the Captains of the Militia has occa- 
sioned me to direct my request to you, sir, 
and I hope you will have the goodness to ex 
pedite the adopting of such measures on the 
subject as will prove to the advantage of 
both the troops and the inhabitants in gene- 
ral. 



BuiG "Argo," January 3d, 1781. 
Sir : — I return you thanks for the care and 
attention toward my men belonging to His 
Majesty's Brig "Argo," under my command. 
They were sent by my orders, with an officer. 
last Tuesday, in pursuit of Rebel whaleboats, 
which I had intelligence of at Matinecock. 
They landed and left men to take care of the 
boat, and when the officer came down to the 
landing he found the boat gone. I was this 
day coming over to your place, being very 
uneasy about them, but in my way I called 
on board the " Crane" galley, where I was 
happy to find the Midshipman with five of 
them. Since which I have had old Mires on 
board, who gives an account that my boat 
was at his place, bat he could not send her 
to me for fear of the Rebels' hurting of him 



for so doing, and that the Rebels came and 
carried her away yesterday. As to my peo- 
ple's intention of taking stock, I can vouch 
for those who came back's honesty, as the 
punishment for such crimes in the navy is 
great and severe. Should you come this 
way, I should be happy at the enjoyment of 
your company for a few hours. Excuse 
haste, as the cabin is full of company. I am, 
sir, yours, &c., John Poers, 



Colonel Hamilton to Major Kissam. 

Jan. 8, 1781. As the troops that were can- 
toned upon this Island for the defence of it 
are called off for a particular service, I am 
ordered by the Commander-in-Chief and by 
the General commanding on Long Island, to 
have the Militia in readiness to march on the 
shortest notice, in order to oppose any at- 
tempt the enemy may make to land. You 
will therefore be pleased to give orders for 
the proper guards and patrols as your zeal 
for His Majesty's service may suggest. I am 
likewise to desire that you will order the 
Captains and officers in your district to call 
their companies together immediately to in- 
spect their arms and ammunition and see 
everything in order for a march and for 
action, in case the Rebels should dare to land. 
You will likewise have an Orderly man or 
two constantly in waiting, in order to ac- 
quaint me and the nearest commanding offi- 
cer, of the smallest attempt that may be 
made by the enemy. 

P. S. — Enclosed I send you a copy of yes- 
terday's orders, which you will send to the 
different Captains. When the troopers are 
upon duty, they will be paid. 



Colonel Hamilton to Major Kissam. 

Feb. 19, 1781. Agreeable to your request, 
I waited upon the Commissary General of 
Prisoners and made a point of Alexander 
Haines' being exchanged. I have spoke to 
Ensign Thorne about getting some knees for 
battoes for the Quartermaster General's de- 
partment. I am therefore to beg you will be 
so good as to give him Avhat assistance you 
can in procuring them. I go to town to- 
morrow, when I will get the commissions for 
the company at Oysterbay. I beg my best 
compliments to your father and to all the 
family. 



50 



Revolutionary Incidents 



Herricks, the 6Tn of March, 1781. 
Sir ! — A sloop being come in at Cow Bay 
with oats, I beg you will be so good as to or- 
der the wagons to bring them up to-morrow, 
and I would be glad if you would order some 
patrols of the Militia the night, to prevent 
any attempt of the whale-boats.* I have sent 
a guard of twelve men on board the sloop, 
and shall send patrols of the Light Horse 
along the shore the night, too ; and am, Sir ! 
your obedient servant, 

DE SlIAW, 

Captain of the Mounted Yagers. 



Hempstead Plains, 
February 8th, 1781 



} 



Sir : — The demand from the Barrack officer 
for the ensuing winter's wood for the army 
has been some time made, and carried into 
execution in Kings County. From Queens, 
6,000 cords are required to be furnished, from 
the Necks on the north side and the lands 
within three or four miles of the waters of 
the Sound, including Little Neck, on the 
west, to Cold Spring. The inconvenient sit- 
uation of the south side and the middle of the 
county will occasion their proportion being 
reserved for the consumption in winter quar- 
ters. And the large demand on this head in 
Flushing, Jamaica and Newtown, together 
with the quantity required by the Quarter- 
master General's department, from Law- 
rence's Neck, will amount to the share of the 
western part. Mr. Purden, of the Barrack 
office, has brought directions from General 
Robertson. I have promised to consult you 
on the subject and to endeavor at some regu 
lation that the confusion and damage conse- 
quent on the indiscriminate cutting the near- 
est wood may be avoided, and the supplies 
obtained at the least expense to the farmer. 
The proposal made is that each man set off in 
proportion to his woodland, and either sell 
the wood to Government by the acre, or be 
allowed sixteen shillings [per cord] for the 
standing wood and twelve shillings for the 
carting, as in Kinoes County. Mr. Purden 
meets me again for an answer on Wednesday. 
My wish is that you would fall on some plan 
with the Captains Woolley, Van Wyck, 
Youngs and Coles, and the principal men of 
the district in question, and furnish me with 

* The " Vanghaii" Galley lay in Cow Bay. April 10, 
1781. The " Crane" Galloy lay at City Island. 



such information as may answer the expecta- 
tions of Government, whose wants, since the 
exhausting of Lloyd's Neck, must be princi- 
pally supplied from this county. I should 
be glad to hear from you before Wednesday, 
but if that cannot be, I shall expect to see 
you then at Jamaica, when an answer will be 
required. I am, sir, your most humble ser- 
vant, George D. Ludlow, 

Superintendent of Police.* 



Jamaica, February 14Tn, 1781. ) 
Office of Police. ) 

We, the undersigned, appointed by the 
inhabitants of the north side of Queens 
County to agree with the Barrack Master 
General respecting a requisition of 6,000 
cords of wood to be furnished for the use of 
Government, from the west side of Little 
Neck to Cold Spring, to the eastward, agree 
and undertake as follows : 1. That 2,000 
cords of wood shall be delivered at the wood- 
yard at New York by the 1st day of May en- 
suing ; 3,000 on or before the 1st day of July, 
and the remaining 2,000 before the 1st of 
October ensuing the date hereof, for which 
we are to receive, on behalf of the proprie- 
tors, at the rate of £3.15 per cord, New York 
cordage. 3. To facilitate the transportation 
by water, and secure its safe conveyance, two 
armed vessels are to be kept by Government 
on the proper parts of the coast, to cover the 
boats employed and to protect them passing 
and repassing. 

Signed, Daniel Kissam, Edward Thorne, 
David Brooks, John Kissam, John 
Remsen, James Townsend, Prior 
TowNSEND, David Valentine. 



Cow Neck, February 30th, 1781. 
There being a requisition from the Barrack 
Office for 6,000 cords of wood to be furnished 
for the ensuing winter's supply for the 
troops, and a contract being entered into by 
several persons in behalf of the inhabitants 
from the west side of Little Neck to Cold 
Spring, within three or four miles or more of 
the Sound, for the faithful performance of 
which they have bound themselves, to de- 
liver 2,000 cords at New York by the 1st of 
May, 3,000 more by the 1st of July, and the 
remaining 2,000 by the 1st of October next, 

+ See Revolutionary Incidents, p. 339. 



Queens Countt — ^d Series. 



51 



for which the contractors are to receive, on 
behalf of the proprietors, £3.15 per cord ; 
and the quota of your district being fixed at 
1,501 cords, I am therefore to desire you'll 
immediately quota your proportion on the 
whole inhabitants of your district, in order 
that the proprietors may deliver the same by 
the time, or enable the contractors to fulfill 
their engagements to the Barrack Master 
General. The utmost exertion is required on 
your part and of the inhabitants. Should 
any of the inhabitants of your district be so 
obstinate as to refuse to cut their proportion 
and deliver it at such places as shall be ap- 
pointed by the contractors, they will be sub- 
ject to have a double proportion cut on them. 

List op Proprietors of Woodland on 
Cow Neck, Great Neck, &c., with 
Apportioxment of Cords to be Cut. 



Jacob Mott* 5 \M 

Miciri Mudge&son 18 80 
Israel Pearsall 4ll 80 

Richard Kirk IH 26 

Jeremial) Itobbins 8 IH 
Hend'kOndi-rdoncliin Vi 
jKsluia Willis* b ^M 

G»'Or<;e Weeks 7 14 

William Valentine 10 16 
Wid.lTho:' ) Ireland*--! 3>o' 
Timothy Smith 24 ."id 
Thi)S.Ap[)lel>y&soii4() 80 
James Hewlett 1.5 30 

Samnel Hewlett 20 40 
John Burtis 14 20 

William Hatchings 8 18 
John Sands 30 60 

Daniel Kissam 32 H4 

And..ifcElb.HeiJemanl5 32 
Dan'l Hegeman.Vr soii22 44 
PetrUiH Onderdonck 15 2.5 
Wld.& Dan'l Rapelye7 7 
William Salt* 
Obadiah Demilt* 7 11 
Widow Vanderbilt & 

Dnrye 18 36 

Bundrick Vanderbilt 

& daughter* 22 7 

Widow (Tristram) 

Dodge* 6 l)^ 

Joseph Dodge* 15 4 

Lieut. Robert Sutton 5 
Adam Mott 25 50 

Stephen Mott 18 36 

Thomas Thome 10 20 
Henry Sands* 66 19 

Joshua Cornell 10 18 

Simon Sands 14 20 

Richard Sands 15 20 

Edward Sands 4 8 

John Mott's estate 10 12 
John Cornwi!ll 12 

Dr. David Brooks 23 .50 
Capt. Steph. Thome 20 20 
Thomas Dodge 20 20 

Caleb Corjiwell* 1 1 

Israel Baxter* 5 8 

John Mitchell & con 14 28 
Daniel VVhitehead 

Kissam* 30 8 

Joseph Kissam 10 12 



Benjamin Kissam 3 
Benjamin Akeily 6 
Dr. Samuel Latham 20 
Joseph Thonie* 10 

.Joseph Pearsall 14 

Adrian Onderdonck 14 
Rich. Thorne, C. N. 6 
Klliert Van Nosuand 1 
Caleb Mnrrell 2 

Cornelius Cornell 3 
Daniel Brinckerhoff 15 



.Tohn Sciienck 
Piter Schenck 
Martin Schenck 
William Smith 
(ieorge Kapelye 
John Searing 
Widow Lawrence* 
Charles Hicks 
Robert Mitchell* 
John Allen 
John Tliorne 
Rictiard Thorne 
Widow C;ornell 
George Cornell 
Samuel Mott Cornell 7 
Charles Cornell 7 

Samuel Tredwell 10 
William Thome 14 
Phillip Allen & sons 30 
Abram Schenck 11 
John Alb.ii, Jr. 8 

Henry, Samuel and 



13 

22 
10 
15 
10 

3 
15 

1 
20 
16 
16 

6 



James .Mien 
Henry Stocker 
Beiij imin Woolley 
John Toffey 
Heiijamin Hewlett 
Georire Hewlett 
John Woolley 
Daniel Kissaui, Jr. 
John Mitchell 
Widow Mitchell 
Lawrence Hewlett 
Widow Tredwell 
Thomas Tredwell* 
Benjamin Tredwell 10 
William Moit 30 

John Morrell 8 

Henry Hauxhurst 4 



* Name inserted from another list and date. 



Ist District, Captain Woolley, 

2d " Captain Youngs, 

3d •' Mr. Sands, 

4th " Little Neck, 

5th " Captain Abram Van Wyck, 

6th " Captain Thomas Van Wyck, 



Acrpp. 


Coids, 


1,096 


1.901 


.579 


1.151 


654 


1,501 


7.1 


147 


300 


651 


, 300 


651 



3,003 6,003 



Prior Townsend to Major Kissam. 

Latting-town, February 28th, 1781. 

When we parted with you last, you told 
us we might send to you on the Friday 
following for orders respecting the wood. 
George Underbill doth now apply to you for 
orders. Our company meets to-morrow after- 
noon. I shall expect some orders from you, 
which will be highly necessary, and when- 
ever we get them we shall do our endeavors 
to put them in execution ; and if the commis- 
sions are made out, we should be glad that 
our officers might have them, in order that 
the contract might be fulfilled. I further 
would wish to know what number of [boats] 
you have in your quarter that undertakes to 
carry the wood contracted for, as there is 
some with us that is now waiting an answer. 



Cow Neck, March 6th, 1781. 
To Mr. Purden. 

Sir : — You may remember when we con- 
tracted for the delivery of the requisition of 
wood by Government, it was agreed, in order 
to facilitate tlie transportation thereof, that 
there should be two armed vessels to cover 
the coasts and protect the boats in passing 
and repassing. It therefore becomes neces- 
sary that they should attend on that business 
immediately, as any delay must necessarily 
retard the matter and prevent a performance 
of the contract. We must therefore, sir, beg 
your assistance to prevent that miscliief, as 
there has already been some delay occasioned 
thereby. We doubt not, therefore, you will 
see it immediately done, as it becomes at 
present absolutely necessary. We desire that 
one may be stationed at present at Cow Bay 
and the other at Hempstead Harbor, with or- 
ders to remove to the other harbors as occa- 
sion may require. Your attention to this 
matter will much oblige, sir, your most obe- 
dient and very humble servant, 

John Kiss.vm, 
In behalf of the contractors. 



53 



Revolittionary Incidents 



New York, March 29th, 1781. 
To John Kissam, Esq. 

Sir : — Yours of the 28th I have received. 
The removal of the armed vessels from 
the Sound is an unexpected occurrence, and 
which the King's service has made necessary 
for tlie present. As soon as it is practicable, 
you may depend that guard-vessels will be 
ordered to reassume their stations. But the 
contractors may go on with the cutting the 
wood, and if they think it safe, cart it to the 
landings. I am extremely happy to observe 
that most part of the farmers show a disposi- 
tion to enable the contractors to fulfill their 
engagements, and you may be assured that 
no censure will fall on the contractors for not 
delivering the wood at the fixed periods, if 
suitable convoys are not furnished in season. 
I am, sir, your most humble servant, 
William Crosbie, 

Barrack Master General. 



NoRTHSiDE, Hempstead, ) 
April 1st, 1781. ) 
Major de Wurmb's compliments to Major 
Kissam and acquaints him that there is a 
picket of one officer and 40 men from to-day 
till to-morrow at Cow Bay, (Dr. Latham's 
house), in case any whale-boats should come 
this night at Cow Neck, Major Kissam may 
send there for support. 



A list of the wood carted to the landing at 
Oysterbay, in Captain Daniel Youngs' Com- 
pany, March 20, 1781, 50 cords. 

A return of the state of the Company of 
Militia of Captain Daniel Youngs, at Oyster- 
bay, March 20, 1781 : 1 Captain, 1 Lieuten- 
ant, 1 Ensign, 4 Sergeants, 4 Corporals, 80 
Privates, — Drummer ; 20 Quakers. 



Regimental Orders. April 10, 1781. 

To Major Kissam, to he forwarded by him to 

the Captains to the Eastward. 

As the time fast approaches when horses 
will be wanted in the Quartermaster Qeneial's 
department, and that a demand will be made 
on Queens County for that purpose. Colonel 
Hamilton therefore requests and desires that 
the Captains, in their respective districts, will 



in the meantime look out for good, servicea- 
ble horses, as none but young and stout ones 
will be taken, and for which a generous price 
will be given. The deficiency (if any) will 
be made up, as usual, by a small tax, to be 
levied by the Captains on every person in the 
county, agreeable to the cess-roll, or the value 
of their estates. Proper judges will be ap- 
pointed on each side to inspect and value the 
horses as formerly, and Colonel Hamilton 
will give them as early notice as possible of 
the number demanded and the place of ren- 
dezvous. Colonel Hamilton is so well ac- 
quainted with the loyalty of Queens County, 
and of their readiness upon every occasion to 
serve His Majesty, that he thinks it needless 
to say any more upon the head, only to assure 
them that he will be happy to assist and 
serve them. 



Westbury, April 21st, 1781. 
To Mnjoi' Kissam. 

Sir : — I had the honor to receive yours this 
evening, and have forwarded the letter to 
Major Delancey immediately. The bearers 
of flags of truce, agreeable to general orders, 
are to be sent back as soon as they have de- 
livered their dispatches ; but if William 
Heron has to transact business in his private 
affairs on this Island, he must first obtain 
His Excellency Governor Robertson's particu- 
lar leave for that purpose ; and I shall there- 
fore have the honor to wait upon you, sir, to- 
morrow morning, at 10 o'clock, in order to 
see whether Heron's request is likely to be 
granted, and till that time I beg to detain 
him at your house or any other proper place. 
I am, with great regard, sir, your most obedi- 
ent, humble servant, 

De Wurmb, Lieutenant-Colonel. 



Westbury, April 33d, 1781. 
To Major Kissam, Cow Bay. 

Sir : — I enclose a passport for Mr. Heron, 
and should wish for his return to Stamford 
whenever the wind will permit of it. I have 
not yet received an answer from New York, 
but as soon as those things wanted by Gene- 
ral Parsons shall arrive, I will not fail to for- 
ward them to the General by anotlier flag. I 
have the honor to be, with great regard, sir, 
your most obedient, humble servant, 

De Wurmb, Lieutenant-Colonel. 



Queens County— 2d Series. 



63 



Brooklyn, April 26th, 1781. 
To Captain Poers, Commander of His Majes- 
ty's Brig "Argo," &ca., &ca., &ca. 
Sir : — Major General De Riedesel begs you 
will, in compliance with the directions from 
headquarters, as you will see by the enclosed 
extract of a letter from the Deputy Adjutant 
General, order Mr. William Heron's boat, 
which you took possession of a few days ago, 
back, in all haste, to the place where you 
first found her ; and the men who navigated 
her will be sent, without any delay, to that 
place, to receive their boat ; and it is request- 
ed, sir, that you will please to give such par- 
ticular directions to your people, that she and 
everything belonging to her may be restored 
to them as complete as she was found, with- 
out any further detention whatever. 



Westbury, April 27th, 1781. 
Lieutenant-Colonel De Wurmb to Major Kis- 

sam. 

Sir : — The enclosed papers will inform you 
that the people belonging to the flag of Mr. 
Heron are to be sent to the other side, as soon 
as Mr. Heron returns. The prisoners I hereby 
send, and beg you will be kind enough to 
guard them until they leave the Island ; and 
in case of necessity, to furnish them with 
provisions, which shall be paid for whenever 
you will let me know the price thereof. The 
boat, which was taken by the " Argo" brig, 
will perhaps arrive at Hempstead Harbor to- 
day. If you think it necessary, some Yagers 
may stay with the prisoners as a guard. 



On His Ma.testy's Immediate Service. 

Express by the Orderly Dragoon. 
Colonel Hamilton to Major Kissam. 

May 5, 1781. I beg you will forward the 
enclosed order as fast as possible, for fear of 
mistakes. I shall expect to see you by 9 
o'clock, on Wednesday, at Jamaica. Your 
calf is fit to take away. He eats grass like a 
cow. I beg my compliments to the old gen- 
tleman. 



R. O. May 5, 1781. Colonel Hamilton 
again reminds the Captains of Queens County 
that the horses demanded by the Quartermas- 
ter General for His Majesty's immediate ser- 
vice are to be delivered on Wednesday, 9th 



instant, at Jamaica, by 9 o'clock in the morn- 
ing. Each company of foot is to furnish 
nine horses, and each troop of horse is to fur- 
nish four horses. Colonel Hamilton need not 
repeat that none but strong young horses will 
pass ; as he is confident that the Captains and 
officers, as well as the men, will do their duty 
like loyal subjects who have the good of His 
Majesty's service warmly at heart. Lieuten- 
ant Talman, of Captain Hoogland's company, 
and Mr. Oliver Waters, of the troop, are ap- 
pointed to inspect and value the horses, on 
the part of the county, and as some expenses 
will attend this duty, these gentlemen will 
give in their charge to the Captains, who are 
to raise it by a small tax or cess upon every 
individual. Colonel Hamilton thinks it nec- 
essary to inform the inhabitants, who are not 
so well acquainted with military matters, that 
the life of almost every expedition or enter- 
prise depends in a great measure on the 
Quartermaster General's department being 
well supplied with teams and horses for 
transporting of guns, ammunition, provi- 
sions, rum, &c., &c., &c., without which the 
best officer or soldier can do but little I The 
smallest reflection upon this head must cer- 
tainly induce the inhabitants of loyal Queens 
County to bring forth their horses on the ap- 
pointed day, in number and in strength. 



Riedesel to Colonel Hamilton. 

„ Brooklyn, May 10th, 1781. 
Sir : — I beg you and the Militia under your 
command, in particular Captain Hewlett with 
the Queens County Militia Light Horse, will 
accept my best thanks for their alertness and 
spirited conduct in taking the troublesome 
plunderer who styles himself Captain Dickey,* 
with his Lieutenant Hendrickson and the 
crew under his orders, I shall take pleasure 
in reporting the same to His Excellency tlie 
Commander-in-Chief, in the favorable light 
it merits. 



R. O. May 13, 1781. It is with the high- 
est pleasure and satisfaction that Colonel 
Hamilton acquaints the Regiment of Queens 
County Militia in general that he is directed 
by the Major General Baron de Riedesel, com- 
manding on Long Island, to return them his 
best thanks for their alert behavior upon 

* See Revolutionary Incidents, p. 199. 



54 



Revolutionary Incidents 



many occasions ; but particularly to Captain 
Stephen Hewlett, of tlie Troop, and his party, 
for their recent alert and spirited conduct in 
taking the noted Rebel partizan plunderer, 
Alexander Dickey, with his Lieutenant, crew 
and boat ; and he assures them he will repre- 
sent it to His Excellency the Commander-in- 
Chief in the favorable light it merits. So 
public a testimony of the General's approba- 
tion must be pleasing to the captors, as it re- 
dounds honor to themselves, honor to their 
commanding officers and honor to the county 
at large, and will certainly stimulate them 
upon similar occasions in the cause of loyalty. 
I beg Major Kissam will be so good as to 
send copies of the above orders to the several 
Captains in his district, whom he will direct 
to read it at the head of their different com- 
panies. 

To Major Kissam, to he forwarded by him to 
the Officers to the eastward and southicard. 
R. O. June 1, 1781. Colonel Hamilton 
■was greatly surprised and much hurt to learn 
from the Quartermaster General that loyal 
Queens County had been so backward in fur- 
nishing their proportion of horses for that 
department ! He has obtained a farther day 
for to make up the deficiency. Colonel Ham- 
ilton therefore desires and expects that all 
tlie Captains of Horse and Foot do meet him 
and Major Kissam at Jamaica, on Tuesday, 
12th instant, with the deficient horses, for 
which they will receive the full value, pro- 
vided they are strong young horses. Any 
Captain who is absent without sending a good 
excuse may depend upon being severely fined 
and reported to the Commander-in-Ohief and 
Governor for disobedience of orders. Colonel 
Hamilton is determined to do his duty, and 
let the blame fall where it ought. 



Wood. 
MusQUETO Cove, June 5th, 1781. 
An account of the quantity of the contract 
wood at the different landings, from Red 
Spring Point to Oak Neck, on the Sound, viz. : 





Cords. 


Cords. 


John Cock, 




7 


Henry Cock. 


2.5 


David Tilly, 




1 


William (Jock. 


14 


Stephen Frost, 




40 


John* Dan. Undcrhill 


34 


Prior Townnend. 




10 


John llttwx. 


4 


William Lattiii!,'. 




10 


Jacob Valentine, 


18 


James and John Sands 


,20 


John Weeks, Ensign, 


fi 


Nathaniel Coles, 




2.5 


Daniel Cock, 


40 


Venus Townsend, 




40 


JaiueB Carpenter, 


4 



Contract wood within Hempstead Harbor: 



Cords. 
James Townsend, 12 

John Jackson, 4 

C!oles Carpenter, 10 

Joseph Wood, 3 

Caleb Coles, 10 



Cord 8. 

Joseph Craft, 3 

Robert Coles, 4 

Albert. William and 

Derick Colea, 3 



Brooklyn, June 4Tn, 1781. 
To Colonel Hamilton, commanding the Queens 

County Militia. 

Sir : — Having received His Excellency the 
Commander-in-Chief's commands, I have to 
request you will direct the proper officers of 
Militia under your orders to make a search 
through all the roads, woods, houses, huts, 
&c., in Queens County, on the night of Wed- 
nesday to Thursday next, and take up all 
persons under the following descriptions : 1. 
People who may or appear to belong to the 
navy ; 2. all stragglers who are not inhabit- 
ants of Long Island, or not well known by 
respectable characters for being quiet sub 
jects ; 3. such as have not passports as Refu- 
gees, from His Majesty's officers or others 
authorized to give certificates ; 4. or any one 
that cannot produce some kind of warranta- 
ble protection from faithful, loyal subjects, 
to testify and prove ther characters. 

When you have taken up those who cannot 
give the required accounts of themselves, you 
will please to send them, with the proper 
guard, to the Fort, at Brooklyn, with a report 
of the prisoners' names, from whence they 
came, where they have resided, and what has 
been and is their occupation, profession or 
employment, till and when they were taken 
up. If the Regular Military assistance should 
be wanted, it will be immediately granted by 
the nearest posts, on your showing this letter 
to the commanding officer, with my request 
to grant it. You will have the goodness to 
keep the whole secret till the moment of put- 
ting it into execution ; afterwards to signify 
the same to me, with the circumstances of its 
success. As it has been particularly men- 
tioned that there are many of the seamen be- 
longing to the navy, at and about Rockaway, 
it is requested that the officer who may have 
the search of that district will make the 
strictest enquiry through it. Your very obe- 
dient, humble servant, 

Riedesel, Major General. 

^^ Colonel Hamilton sends the above to 
Major Kissam, for him to forward to the offi- 
cers to the eastward and southward. 



Queens County— 2d Series. 



55 



Colonel Hamilton to Major Kissam. 

June 6, 1781. Enclosed I send you an 
order I have received from General De Rie- 
desel, which you will be pleased to see fully 
executed in your district. You will likewise 
be so good as to inform me, by express, of 
your success, and forward the prisoners to 
me with all dispatch. You have likewise an 
order respecting the deficient horses, which 
you will take care to enforce. Let you and 
me do our duty, at all events, and let the 
blame fall where it ought. 

JJ^^Qeneral Riedesel's orders must be put 
in execution this night and to-morrow morn- 
ing. 

[1781, June 30. Major Kissam was sur- 
prised at night, and carried off by the Rebels 
to Connecticut. — See Bevoltitionary Incidents, 
p. 173.] 

WETHERSFIELn, AUGUST 16tH, 1781. 

To Daniel Kissam, Esq. 

Honored Sir : — Mine of 27th July, if it 
got safe to you, must have informed you of 
my being at this place on parole, with a cir- 
cuit of three miles from my lodging ; since 
which I have remained in the same situation; 
and a day or two ago I was informed by Mr. 
Reed, who was last week brought away from 
East Hampton, that the Commissary of Pris- 
oners here had made a proposal of a parole, 
exchanging Mr. Reed and myself for Colonel 
St. John and son, acquainting Governor 
Franklin that, should it not take place, he 
should be under the necessity of retaliating 
ou us, which I cannot say but my fears are 
greater than my hopes will be the case. I 
yesterday got leave and took a ride to Hart- 
ford to see Mr. Jeremiah Piatt and his brother 
Ebenezer, who, on their first hearing of my 
being at this place immediately came to see 
me, to know whether I was in want of any- 
thing, and every few days since, Ebenezer 
takes a ride to see me, and with me yesterday 
made application to the Deputy Commissary 
for leave to go to Long Island and New York 
on my parole, for a few days, in order to 
work an exchange, but he informed us that 
he had often been censured for such indul- 
gences, and could not grant it without leave 
from the Commissary General of Prisoners ; 
and therefore I cannot do anything at present 
myself, and expect I must remain here a long 
time, unless some friend make an interest for 
some other person to be offered. If Colonel 



St. John should not be permitted to come out, 
there have been four Captains of whale-boats, 
, Sellew and Foster, prisoners 



to Colonel Hamilton, which Governor Frank- 
lin* has had, three of which have been ex- 
changed for the Associated Refugees since my 
being here ; and I think in justice Colonel 
Hamilton has a right to expect from the 
Board of Directors at least one of their pris- 
oners for a parole or exchange for me. 

If it is concluded I must stay any time, or 
winter here, I could wish to have some win- 
ter clothing sent to me soon, as the morning 
and evening already begin to be a little cool, 
and I expect by the first frost my pockets will 
be nipt pretty well of cash, and consequently 
a little of that commodity will be not disa- 
greeable to me, as I find all places nearly 
alike — no living without money, and espe- 
cially one in my situation, expenses running 
much higher than I expected. What way to 
get things to me, I cannot inform you of, but 
should wish that some friend might come 
with them in a flag. At present I quarter at 
the house of Captain Absalom Williams, in 
Wethersfield, and should I be removed from 
here, anything that can be left for me will be 
forwarded by him ; and I could wish to hear 
from the family and friends, as I have not 
heard a word from any one there since my 
leaving the Island. Communicate my love to 
all and acquaint them I should have written 
to them, but the uncertainty of a safe convey- 
ance renders it difliicult. If I had one of my 
old social friends with me here, the country 
would be pleasant enough to make it agreea- 
ble, although a number of the inhabitants, I 
find, endeavor to make it so to me, as there 
is a good deal of company, and I enjoy health 
well. Mr. Ebenezer Piatt, who carries this 
for me to Norwalk, is now waiting, and I 
wish it might arrive safe to you. If Colonel 
Hamilton and friends want my continuance 
here, pray send me a good sum of money and 
two inkstands. I am, honored sir, your duti- 
ful son, John Kissam. 



Parole. 
"I, John Kissam, Major of Militia in 
Queens County, on Long Island, in British , 



* 1781, Jan 8. Board of Directors of Associated 
Loyalists : William Franklin, Daniel Coxe, George 
Rome, Anthony Stewart, Jo^iah Martin, George D. 
Ludlow, Georsre Leonard, Timothy Ruggles, Edward 
Lulwych and Robert Alexander. 



66 



Revolutionary Incidents 



service, do hereby acknowledge myself a 
prisoner of war to tlie United States of Amer- 
ica, and being now indulged the liberty of 
returning to the city of New York on parole, 
do pledge my faith and sacred honor that I 
will not say, do, or cause to be said or done, 
anything that can be in any shape construed 
to injure the welfare of the said United 
States ; and that unless I can effect an ex- 
change of myself for some officer of like rank 
or for some other such person as shall be 
agreed to and accepted by Abraham Skinner, 
Esq. , the American Commissary of Prisoners, 
I will return by the way of Elizabethtown 
Point, on New Jersey, and render myself a 
prisoner to said Commissary General or to his 
order, or to some one acting under him, within 
thirty days of this date." 

The within is a true copy of parole signed 
by Major John Kissam. Whereupon it is de- 
sired he may pass on directly to Norwalk and 
from thence to New York, in such way as 
shall be thought best by the Authority there, 
he behaving as becometh, &c. 

Ez. Williams, 
Deputy Commissary General of Prisoners. 



Exchange. 

To whom it may concern. I do certify that 

Major Kissam, of the Regiment of Queens 

County Militia, of Long Island, was regularly 

exchanged for Major George Wright, of the 

Pennsylvania Militia, at New York, the 20th 

of October, 1781. 

Joshua Loring, 

Commissary General of Prisoners. 



Militia Orders. 
Whereas the regulations hitherto made for 
the protection of Great and Cow Necks are 
found by experience to be attended with 
many inconveniences ; it is ordered that Cap- 
tains Thome and Cornell procure fourteen 
sufficient and trusty men to mount guard each 
night on Cow and Great Necks, at such 
places as they shall judge proper, the Cap- 
tains to levy ten shillings per man per month 
from every person within their beat, who is 
sixteen years of age and upwards ; and out of 
this fund to pay each man doing duty six 
shillings per day for the service required. 
Such persons whose poverty must necessarily 
excuse them from the contribution are to be 



excepted out of this order, and a return of 
their names made to the Commanding Officer. 
G. G. Ludlow, Colonel. 



Caveat. 
Sir : — I having with sundry others entered 
into a contract with Government to deliver 
six thousand cords of wood to the wood-yards 
of the Barrack Master General, by certain 
periods, and it being represented to me that 
your people have sundry times taken some of 
the wood at the landing, to be appropriated 
for that use. As this, sir, tends to lessen the 
quantity and impose a harder burden upon 
us, and to discourage the carting the wood to 
the landing ; we must beg that you would 
adopt some other methods for furnishing 
wood for your vessel, unless by concurrence 
of the Barrack Master General, who may ac- 
count to us for so much. The heavy burden 
we are under obliges us to make this applica- 
tion, as every person's proportion is laid out 
for him to supply : [and this action of yours] 
must alter the whole mode of our proceeding. 
John Kissam. 



.\ 



Office of Police, 
Jamaica, November 23d, 1781. 
To Major Kissam. 

Sir: — In pursuance of His Excellency Lieu- 
tenant Governor Robertson's proclamation, 
requiring the inhabitants of Long Island to 
furnish an immediate supply of wood for the 
citizens of New York in their present distress; 
and for the fulfillment of the requisitions 
therein contained ; you are hereby called on, 
required and empowered to oversee and carry 
into execution the following regulation : The 
inhabitants of Cow Neck, Great Neck and 
Little Neck, and so many of those living to 
the eastward as cart to the landings at Hemp- 
stead Harbor, are hereby ordered to cut and 
cart, without delay, to the nearest landing- 
places, so much wood each as will amount to 
half the quota laid on them, in consequence 
of an assessment made with the Barrack Mas- 
ter General's office last spring, for the supply 
of six thousand cords of wood from the 
north side of the Island ; and all persons sub- 
ject to this order are to consider this wood 
for the use of the private inhabitants of the 
city, and to sell the same at the public affixed 
rates for the purpose aforesaid. Those who 



Queens County — 2d Series. 



57 



shall neglect or refuse to comply with the 
quota assigned them, are to be compelled, by 
employing proper persons to do this duty, 
who are to be benefitted by the whole emolu- 
ment arising from the sale of such refractory 
persons' wood.* 

In the enforcing this order you will take 
such measures as to you shall seem most ef- 
fectual for the immediate supply so much 
wanted, and when any person is found so lost 
to his private interest and deaf to the public 
call as to decline this necessary business, you 
are not only to assign his property (hereby 
allotted) to others willing to execute the 
same, but to represent him to the Office of 
Police. Sir, your most humble servant, 

George D. Ludlow. 



Office of Police, ) 

Jamaica, December 21st, 1781. ; 
To Major Kissam. 

Sir: — I have just received a letter from 
the Governor, signifying the distress of the 
inhabitants of New York, from the want of 
wood, and his intentions of sending all the 
vessels that can be procured to make one trip 
to the Necks. He wishes to know the quan- 
tity of wood and the landings where it is to 
be found. Without your information I can- 
not answer him particularly. In the mean- 
while may I say, in general, that the quantity 
demanded will be ready for those that call ? 
and that the landings are at Little Neck and 
both sides of Cow and Great Necks? Your 
answer by the bearer will greatly oblige, sir, 
your most obedient and humble servant, 

George D. Ludlow. 



Office of Police, \ 

Jamaica, March 18tu, 1782. ) 
To Major Kissam. 

Sir: — The Barrack Master General informs 
me that a considerable part of the six thou- 
sand cords of wood remain yet due from the 
inhabitants, particularly about Oysterbay. 
The wants of the wood-yard are great and 
immediate. I think it but just that the se- 
verest measures should be taken to compel 
the neglecting farmers, before new demands 
are made ; and beg therefore that you would 
be at the trouble (with the other gentlemen 

♦ The list of 63 fainierg who delivered wood ia here 
omitted. 



who were appointed) to procure a return of 
the delinquents as soon as possible. My or- 
ders are to appoint Refugees and others to 
cut their wood without delay, by way of im- 
mediate supply, and to punish them for con- 
tempt of the several injunctions. I wish also 
to have a return of the residue of wood due 
under the proclamation, and from whom, 
that the same means may be made use of 
against them. The Captains of Militia are 
required to furnish you the state of their sev- 
eral beats and to give whatever assistance 
you may think necessary to require. I sub- 
mit to your consideration whether the most 
effectual way to execute the intentions of 
Government would not be to authorize Mr. 
Okerson to cut and cart by the return-list, 
when obtained, he employing persons under 
him (and paying them) to make a return of 
his proceedings. Colonel Crosby will send 
vessels, if required, to any landing, and the 
instant execution of some such mode is re- 
quired for a present supply, as well as to pre- 
vent the wood in your quarter from being 
subject to an establishment under the Barrack 
office. I am, sir, with esteem, your most 
humble servant, George D. Ludlow. 



New York, April 17tii, 1782. 
To Judge Ludlow, Office of Police, Jamaica. 

Dear Sir : — In consequence of a notice 
given to the Barrack Master General that 
fifteen hundred cords of wood would be ready 
to be delivered at Cold Spring Harbor, seven- 
teen vessels have been sent to take it on 
board, and are now lying there idle on pre- 
tences formed by Captain Van Wyck. Let 
me beg that you will immediately give direc- 
tions that may procure dispatch for these ves- 
sels. It is a great loss to Government and a 
reflection on the Police, if such an obstinate 
disobedience should be continued and remain 
unpunished. The bearer will carry your or- 
ders and be assistant in carrying them into 
execution. I am, dear sir, your humble ser- 
vant, James Johnson. 



To Major Kissam. 

Sir : — Please to issue the necessary orders 
and take the wood in question, as well as 
compel the farmers to load it. You are fully 
informed, and see the expediency of prevent- 
ing delay. George D. Ludlow, Supt. 



58 



Revolutionary Incidents 



Major Kismm, to Captain Thomas Van Wyck. 
Cow Neck, April 20th, 1782. 
It being represented to His Excellency 
Governor Robertson tbat the inhabitants in 
your district have refused to send their pro- 
portion of contracted wood and load the ves- 
sels that were sent to take the same on board, 
I have received express directions from the 
Police to direct that you will, with the force 
of your company, put on board such persons' 
proportion of wood as are refractory and re- 
fuse to send it, whenever a convoy of vessels 
attends to receive the same ; and that the 
whole quota of six hundred and fifty cords 
be ready without delay, and prevent the mis- 
chief that must necessarily ensue from the 
continuance of the obstinate disobedience of 
the inhabitants. 



Office op Police, ) 
Jamaica, April 22r>, 1782. ) 
To Major Kissam. 

Sir : — By direction of His Excellency Lieu- 
tenant Governor Robertson, permission is 
hereby given William Roe,* of Stamford, to 
come with a flag into Oysterbay Harbor and 
return with his wife, children and household 
goods. Permission is also granted, under the 
same authority, to Oliver Lawrence to come 
into Cow Bay, with a flag of truce, and fetch 
his sister Deborah. These persons are to re- 
turn as soon as convenient, and not to pass 
beyond the habitations of those they are to 
take back with them. These conditions are 
to be enforced by your orders, or those ap- 
pointed by you. 

George D. Ludlow, Superintendent. 



J 



as last year, six thousand cords.* I wish to 
see you, with the Captains of that district, 
and confer on the best mode to procure a com- 
pliance and preserve the farmers' property. 
Will you acquaint them and meet me at the 
office on Wednesday next ? Could I see you 
before that day and talk the matter over, it 
would be agreeable to, sir, your most humble 
servant, 

George D. Ludlow, Superintendent. 



Office of Police, 
Jamaica, June 1st, 1782 
To Major Kissam. 

Sir : — The chief supplies of fuel for the 
ensuing winter must be furnished by this 
Island, and of course the demand very large. 
I have thought it better for the farmer to cut 
and cart his share than let it be done by 
strangers, and I have proposed a quota. The 
demand from Little to Lloyd's Necks will be 

♦ William Roe, of Oysterbay, furnished secret in- 
telligence to the American cause, in the fall of 1777, 
and after, till he was informed against, and then he 
had to flee to the Main, in 1780, to escape British ven- 
geance. 



J 



Office of Police, 
Jamaica, November 11th, 1782. 
To Major John Kissam. 

Sir : — I have seen the Governor on the 
subject of the flag. He objects to one ex- 
pressly for this purpose. But notwithstand- 
ing, the two persons pointed out may go, 
under your directions and safe-conduct. Let 
them confine themselves to the errand, and 
they will be justified. If the plundering! is 
not stopped by the inhabitants on the other 
shore, one general scene of desolation must 
be the consequence. It is therefore a com- 
mon interest there, as well as here, to bring 
such villains to punishment. I am, sir, your 
most humble servant, 

George D. Ludlow, Superintendent. 



Shelburn, N. S., ) 
February 10th, 1786. ) 
To Mr. John Kissam. 

Dear Sir : — I am sorry that you have left 
our country so soon, for had you not, you 
would have been likely to have had your loss 
made up. The Commissioners are at Halifax 
now, taking in the claims of the Loyalists. 
My advice to you is to get a certificate from 
your State, of your losses and damages, and 
services you did for Government, and come 
to Shelburn in the spring ; for they are to be 
here and take in all claims. This is from 
your friend to serve, 

Richard Townsend. 



Granville, N. S., 
February 22d, 1786 



} 



To Mr. John Kissam, at Cow Neck, L. I. 

Dear Sir : — I embrace this opportunity, 
with the blessing of God, to inform you that 

* The list of 90 farmers who delivereel wood is here 
omitted, 
t See Revolutionary Incidents, p. 177. 



Queens Cotjntt— 3d Sekies, 



6d 



I am well, and all the family, and hoping 
this may find you and all the family and all 
friends the same. These few lines are to 
inform you that the Commissioners are com- 
ing from England to Halifax, respecting the 
claims of the Loyalists, and it is expected 
they will go to St. John by the first of May. 
I am sorry that you never sent your claims 
home, as there was an Act of Parliament for 
tliat purpose. But estimates are going to 
them every day, and they are very particular 
of asking them why they did not comply with 
the Act of Parliament. But I believe that if 
you come and give yours in by the first of 
May, I make no doubt, as yours stands so 
fair, but what you may get some of your 
losses again. If you come, you must bring a 
certificate of the confiscation of it, [your fa- 
ther's farm], of the sale of it, when and 
where, with the Governor of the State's seal 
on it ; as that is requested of every one, of 
their claims to have the Governor's seal of 
that [State] where it is confiscated and sold, 
which I make no doubt but what you can 
get. 

I expect this sloop right back, by which 
you may have a chance to come. And if you 
come, bring your commission with you, as it 
may be of service to you. Mrs. Thorne joins 
with me in love to you and all the family and 
all enquiring friends. So I remain your 
friend to serve, Edward Thokne. 



At the close of this interesting correspond- 
ence we may add that Colonel Hamilton left 
in 1783, and died in Edinburgh, 1795. George 
Duncan Ludlow and his brother, Gabriel G. , 
both died in honored exile, in New Bruns- 
wick, 1808. Major Kissam, at the peace, 
went to Nova Scotia, but short.ly returned, 
and died on his paternal homestead, in his 
81st year, 1828, beloved and respected.* 



SUFFERINGS OF FRIENDS IN FLUSH- 
ING. 
1776. Taken from Daniel Bowne, for re- 
fusing military service, by Captain Hoog- 



* Some account of most of the Tories mentioned in 
thJM book may be found in Sabine's Lives of the Loy- 
alists, wherein are about 1.000 names, (dlliiitjaapa-ies), 
copied, without crediting, from my Revolutionary 
Incidents of Queens County. 



land's warrant, a silver watch, worth £7, and 
a looking-glass, worth £3. 

1776, 29th of 8th month. Taken from 
John Bowne, by the Major of the Light 
Hoi-se, for the use of the army, 21 old sheep, 
at 13 shillings each, and 15 lambs, at 11 shil- 
lings each ; and 9th of 9th month, taken by 
Captain Moxome, 31 bushels of oats, at 3 
shillings per bushel. 

1776. Distresses made upon the goods of 
Ebenezer Beaman, by order of the militia 
officers : A dictionary, worth 12 shillings ; 
two large pewter basins, 16 shillings ; diaper, 
tablecloth, and pewter tunnel, 28 shillings ; 
looking-glass, £3 ; an iron-shod cart and tack- 
ling, £14 ; a horse, £18, 14s. 1781. Jacob 
Lawrence, with three others, took a riding 
saddle, worth £5. 

1776. Taken from John Lawrence by the 
militia Sergeant, for not appearing under 
arms, a warming-pan, to the value of £1. 

1777. Taken from Ann Field, by order of 
Captain Hoogland, being to serve military 
purposes, a watch, worth £8 ; 2i bushels of 
wheat, £1, 10s.; ahorse, £25. 1781. Three 
turkeys, worth 50 shillings, on a demand* of 
24 shillings for guarding the fort at White- 
stone. 

1777. Taken from John Bowne, for not 
appearing with the militia, a fat hog, £5. 
1778. Taken by Captain Hoogland, for not 
appearing under arras when required by the 
militia officers, household goods, worth £2, 
3s. 6d. 1781. On a demand of 39 shillings, 
to defray the charge of guarding the fort at 
Whitestone, a pair of boots, £2, 8s. 

1778, 5th month. Abel Thomas, a travel- 
ing preacher, says : ' ' After the meeting at 
Westchester, we went down to the water-side 
to go over to Long Island. There was no 
boat there. We made a smoke for a signal 
to the ferryman on the other side to come for 
us, which he did, but informed us he was 
under obligation to send all strangers that he 
brought over to Colonel Hamilton's, at Flush- 
ing. When we were over, lie sent a guard 
with us to the Colonel. We informed him 
that we intended to hold meetings on the 
island. His answer to us was that ' if that 
was our business it was a pity to hinder us.' 
He readily gave us a permit to travel through 
the island. We visited eight meetings, one 
a day, and then crossed the Sound. 

1780. Taken from John Farrington, a gun, 
worth £2 ; a table, £3 ; 2 hogs, £8, 10s. 



60 



Revolutionary Incidents 



1781. Taken by Jacob Lawrence, by Captain 
Hoogland's order, linen, worth £3, 12s. 1782. 
Goods taken, worth £3, lis. 4. 

1780, April 3. Isaac Underbill and Thomas 
Willett, being desired by the British com- 
manding officers at Flushing to view the 
damages, or quantities of timber cut off a 
certain tract of timber land consisting of 
about 25 acres, belonging to John Bowne, 
conclude there hath been taken 5 standard 
cords for the use of His Majesty's troops. 

David Golden certifies the above appraisers 
to be men of fair character, and well quali- 
fied to make the estimate. 

1781, 12th of 2d month. Jacob Lawrence, 
Sergeant, with others, took away from James 
Bowne, 11 fowls, worth £3, on a demand of 
39 shillings for guarding the fort, &c. 

1781, 24th of 2d month. David Rowland, 
Sergeant, came to Isaac Underhill's and de- 
manded £4 for money advanced for a horse 
to go in the King's service, and for expense 
in guarding the fort, &c., and on his refusing 
to pay it, went into his mill and took 8 bush- 
els of Indian corn, worth £4. 

1781, 3d month. There came to John Far- 
rington's house, David Rowland, a Sergeant 
under Captain Hoogland, for a demand of £3, 
8s, took away a piece of linen, worth £3, 3s, 
being levied by way of tax, as was said, to 
defray the expense of guarding the fort at 
Whitestone. 

1781. Taken at sundry times, from John 
Burling, Jr., for fines, by order of Captain 
Hoogland, to answer militia purposes : A 
pewter dish, worth 8 shillings ; 6 pewter 
plates, 12 shillings ; a pair of tongs, 12 shil- 
lings ; a table-cloth, £1, 10s.; 7 pewter 
plates, 14 shillings ; a copper sauce-pan, 8 
shillings ; a pair of andirons, £2 ; 6 silver tea 
spoons, £1, 10s. 1781. Taken by Philip 
Rusted, 21 bushels of corn and bag, to defray 
the expense of guarding the fort at White- 
stone, £1, 10s. 1781. Jacob Lawrence took, 
on demand of 27 shillings, an overcoat and a 
dung-hill fowl, worth 50 shillings. 

1781. Taken from Willet Bowne, at sun- 
dry times, by order of Captain Hoogland, (be- 
ing fines to answer military purposes), a ge- 
ography, worth 14 shillings ; 6 pewter plates, 
12 shillings ; 2 bushels of wheat and the bag, 
£2 ; 9 bushels of corn, £3, 12s. ; a watch, £8. 
1781. Two bushels of corn and the bag, 
£1, 4s. 



1781, 4th of 3d month. Then came Moses 
Fowler, and demanded of Phebe Cornell £4. 
On her refusal to pay, he searched her closet 
and found money to the value of £3, 18s, be- 
ing levied by way of tax, as was said, for de- 
fraying the expense of guarding the fort at 
Whitestone. 

1781, 29th of 6th month. Philip Husted, 
Sergeant, and Jacob Lawrence with him, de- 
manded 25 shillings of Solomon Underbill, 
for guarding the fort, and took wheat to that 
value. 

Total amount of distraints of Friends in 
Flushing, from 1776 to 1782, was £194, lis. 
lOd. 



A list of Friends who, being opposed to 
war, were fined and distressed of their goods 
for refusing to stand guard, go on an alarm, 
furnish horses for war, work on the fort at 
Brooklyn, or do any kind of military service : 
1777. 

Feb. 27. Stephen Denton and John Wa- 
ters, having a key with them, unlocked Sam- 
uel Willets' chest, and took £1, 10s, for his 
son not appearing at an alarm ; and Aug. 
16, took a saddle, worth 21 shillings, and a 
side of leather, 10 shillings. In June, Penn 
Weeks took 10 shillings, which he found in a 
garment hanging in the house. 

Feb. 27. Sergeant John Waters demanded 
£1, 10s, of Henry Whitson, Jr., for not ap- 
pearing at the alarm. On his refusal to pay, 
he searched the house, found the key, un- 
locked a chest, and took £1, 10s, as he said. 
From Charles Clements 3 fowls were taken, 
worth 6 shillings.* 

March. Henry Post, 2 silk handkerchiefs, 
10s. ; and Aug. 28, 15 yards cloth, £5, lOs.f 

April 4. Elias Hicks, pair of shoes, 10s.* 

Aug. 16. John Powell, a tankard and 
steelyards, 20s.* 

June 7. A cow, worth £6, was taken from 
John Smith, for a fine of £5, levied on him 
for not appearing at the alarm to Huntington. 

July. Adonijah Underbill, pair stock- 
ings and silk handkerchief. 

Aug. 28. Elias Hicks, pair silver buckles, 
18s, 2 pair stockings, 15s, 2 handkerchiefs, 
5s. f March 3, a great-coat, 26s, for a fine of 
12s.§ 

Sept. 1. Thomas Seaman, Sr., Westbury, 
a watch, £8, for his son.f 

♦ Guard, t Alarm. § Fort. 



Queens County — 2d Series. 



61 



Aug. 15. John Willis, seed-wheat, at 10s. 
a bushel, f 

Oct. 17. James Oakley, a gun, 34s. 
Nov. 3. Williams Seaman, Jr., 1 silk hand- 
kerchief, 10s, and another, 3s.; deerskin 
gloves, 10s. ;* and March 9, 1778, a bag and 
2 sides sole leather, 26s. 

Nov. Samuel Hicks, 2 pieces of cloth, 
84s, 6d.§ 

Nov. Joseph Willets, 2 silk handker- 
chiefs, 10s. ;* and Dec. 2 cakes tallow, 26s. § 

Dec. 15. John Titus, side of leather and 
pot of butter, 8 lbs. 

Dec. 15. Henry Post, £1, 3s. 8i.§ 
Dec. 17. William Titus, leather and to- 
bacco, £2, 15s. 

1778. 
Jan. 7. Edmund Smith, coverlet, £3, and 
sheet, 20s, taken from his bed.f 

Feb. 17. Thomas Seaman refusing to pay, 
they made diligent search and found his 
wife's pocket-book, and took, as they said, 
£2, 2, 11.* 

Feb. 28. John Smith, for refusing to let 
his horse go on an alarm, £1. 

March 11. On Joseph Willets's refusing to 
pay his fine, they searched till they found 
his daughter's pocket-book and took 8s. in 
money. 

March 11. They took from John Titus's 
wife 17 lbs. flax, 15s.* 

May 30. Silas Hicks, pair hand irons, 14s, § 
on a demand for 8s. 

Oct. 9. John Carl, pot of butter and a bas- 
ket, 26s. ;* and 1780, Jan. 20, a high chest, 
table and wheel, £6, Is.; and July 15, 2 
wheels, £2, 12s.* 

June. Elias Hicks, pair stockings, 5s, and 
razor-case and 2 razors, 4s, for refusing to 
pay toward having men to work on the forti- 
fications near Brooklyn ferry. 

Aug. Israel Pearsall, Hempstead Harbor, 
6 bushels Indian corn, £2, 8s, taken by Sea- 
mans Weeks, by order of Captain John 
WooUey. 

Nov. 9. Samuel Way, 2 cheeses, worth 
26s, on a demand of 20s, to pay the guard. 
Nov. 10. Richard Mott, a saddle, £3.* 
June 20. Jonathan Titus, 6 knives and 
forks, 10s. § 

1779. 
Jan. 25. Thomas Titus, distrained of 
£10, Is, for the Fort, guard, and to pay for 
horses bought to go for the use of the army. 



May. From James Hubbs, pair shoes. 

Aug. 5. Richard Willis, Jr., saw and bri- 
dle, 8s. ; handkerchief and bridle, 10s. ; pair 
trousers, 10s.; saddle, blanket, leather, bag 
and 2 bushels rye, £6, 10s, and Oct. 14, corn, 
pair stocks and silk handkerchief. * 

Aug. 21. Samuel Hicks, 20i lbs. cheese, 
£1, 6s, for a fine of 20s.* 

Dec. 26. Silas Downing, distrained of 3 
bushels wheat, for not complying with an 
order to cart wood to Brooklyn ferry for the 
use of the army. 

1780. 

Jan. 18. John Loines distrained of 5 bush- 
els wheat, £5, for not giving £5 toward pay- 
ing for horses raised for the use of the army, 
and for the guard and Fort. 

Jan. 19. Obadiah Valentine and Daniel 
Toifey, by two warrants from Captain Cor- 
nell, came to levy (by sale of goods) a fine of 
£7, lis. on Thomas Seaman, for the guard, 
Fort and horses, and took 8 bushels wheat, 
£7, 4s. 

Jan. 26. John Wright, a bushel of rye, 
for refusing to pay 8s. dividend due on build- 
ing the Fort. 

July 16. John Searing, 13i yards linen 
and 6i yards cloth, £5, 5s. 

Dec. 17. John Smith, 1 sheep, for not 
carting wood to Hempstead for the soldiers. 



TORIES IN QUEENS COUNTY. 

It is well known that at the outbreak of 
the Revolution, in 1776, the great majority 
of the people of Queens County were Loyal- 
ists and organized to resist the action of the 
Whigs, who were so feeble in the county 
that Congress sent thither Colonel Herd with 
a regiment of soldiers to disarm the Loyalists. 
But when the British arms prevailed, at the 
battle of Brooklyn, Queens County was left 
at the mercy of the Loyalists, who to a cer- 
tain degree made reprisals on the now power- 
less Whigs. 

The Legislature of the State of New York, 
however, did what they could to relieve their 
faithful friends in Queens County, and pro- 
ceeded to pass sundry laws confiscating the 
property of the more active Loyalists. In- 
dictments were also laid before the Grand 



* Guard, t Alariu. § Kort. 



* Guard. 



63 



Revolutionary Incidents 



Juries in Duchess County,* as appears by the 
following affidavit : 

Duchess Comity, ss.: Examination and de- 
position of Abel Smith, of Poughkeepsie, 
goldsmith, taken before the Grand Jury, at a 
Court of Oyer and Terminer and general jail 
delivery in said county. 

Being duly sworn, he says, that he went to 
New York city in October, 1777, and contin- 
ued there and on Long Island till August, 
1783 ; that in 1780 he knew the following 
persons and in the following offices under the 
British Government on Long Island, viz. : 
John Kissam, yeoman, of Hempstead, as 
Major of the militia ; Joseph Thorne, of 
Hempstead, yeoman, as Captain of a company 
of militia ; Edward Thorne. of Hempstead, 
yeoman, as a Lieutenant of a company of mi- 
litia ; and in the same year and afterwards 
Thomas Thorne, of Hempstead, yeoman, 
acted as a private in the horse-guards of the 
miMtia ; that in 1781 he knew Stephen Hew- 
lett, of Hempstead, yeoman, then in the office 
of Captain of a troop of horse on Long Island, 
under the British Government there ; that in 
1777 he knew Israel Youngs, of Oysterbay, 
miller, who was then a Captain of a troop of 
horse, under said British Government ; that 
in 1779 he knew Hewlett Townsend, of 
Hempstead, yeoman, who was then and af- 
terwards employed and acted as a purchaser 
of cattje for the use of the British troops 
then levying war against the people of this 
State ; that in 1780 and 1781 he knew on 
Long Island John Hewlett, of Oysterbay, 
Esq. , who then acted as collector of forage 
for the British army; that in the last men- 
tioned years he knew Isaac Youngs, of Oys- 
terbay, miller, who acted as deputy collector 
of forage, under said John Hewlett, Esq. ; 
that he formerly knew Joseph Tobias, Jr., 
late of Charlotte Precinct, in Duchess County, 
laborer, and that he, in 1776 and 1777, fre- 
quently saw him in Charlotte Precinct, where 
he then resided, and that he frequently after- 
wards saw him in Queens County, on Long 
Island, and in New York city in 1781 and 
1782, and that he understood he was there of 
his own free will, that said Tobias went 
sometimes in a boat from Oysterbay to New 
York, and for some time in 1781 he attended 

* By the Coiifl-^cation Act, the Grand Jurors of any 
county could indict for offences against this State 
committed in another county.— .S'ee Jonei's Journal, 
II, 5J3. 



a shop of merchandize in New York city; and 
that he frequently saw Samuel Hoxie, late of 
Charlotte Precinct,* goldsmith, in said Pre- 
cinct, and that he afterwards voluntarily 
went to Oysterbay and since into New York 
city, where he continued to reside, and that 
he frequently saw said Hoxie in 1777, and 
since then, in Queens County and New York 
city, being then garrisoned by British troops. 
Abel Smith. 

Sworn and examined in the presence of the 
Grand Jury, July 19, 1783, in pursuance of 
of an act of the Legislature for the forfeiture 
and sale of the estate of persons who have 
adhered to the enemies of this State, and for 
declaring the sovereignty of the people of this 
State in respect to all property within the 
same. Before me, 

George Froeligh, Foreman. 

Preferred into Court July 19, 1783, at the 
Duchess County Oyer and Terminer. En- 
tered in the Supreme Court minutes October 
23, 1783. 

Here follows another indictment : 
Ducliess County, ss. : The examination and 
deposition of Nehemiah Heartt, of Charlotte 
Precinct, Duchess County, merchant, taken 
before the Grand Jury of Duchess County,f 
at a Court of Oyer and Terminer and general 
jail delivery in said county, July 18th, 1783. 
Being duly sworn, he says, that in 1779, 
and at divers times since, he saw Henry 
Nicoll and Henry Peters, of New York city, 
merchants, acting as Captains of militia in 
said city, under David Mathews, Esq. , of said 
city ; that the militia were paraded for re- 
view and were trained in aid of the British 
troops then levying war against the people 
of this State ; that several times in 1779, 
1780 and 1781, he saw Frederick Rhinelander, 
of New York, and John Carpenter, of Brook- 
lyn, butcher, in New York city, then garri- 
soned by British troops ; and that they were 
concerned as part owners in one or more ves- 
sels of war cruising under commissions from 
the King of Great Britain, against the vessels 
of the United States ; and that in the said 
three years he saw Lambert Moore, Esq., and 



* Joseph Ford, a refugee from this precinct, and a 
tavern-lteeper at Jamaica, had Ins land, east of the 
Qualjer lot. forfeited.— Sfee OnJerJunk's Qwent Cuuniif 
in Olden Times, p. (i7. 

t These defendants were notified in Loudon'* new8- 
pajjer of the 7th, I4th, Slst and aSlh of August, 178.1. 
Thomaj Bttts, of (iueeus County, was also indicted. 



/ 



John Moore, gentleman, of New York, in 
employment and directing and managing 
business in the Superintendent's office, New 
York ; and that at several times in said three 
years he saw Israel Youngs, of Oysterbay, 
miller, acting as an officer of a troop of horse 
on Long Island ; also Isaac Youngs, miller, 
Penn Weeks, late of Oysterbay and since of 
Huntington, Johannis Barnet [or Bennet] and 
Thomas Place, Jr., yeomen, of Oysterbay, 
employed in service in said troop of horse on 
Long Island ; and at several times in said 
three years he saw John Hewlett, of Oyster- 
bay, Esq., acting as a Commissary in the ser- 
vice of the King of Great Britain ; and at 
different times in said three years he saw Ar- 
thur Dingey, of Huntington, yeoman, acting 
as a Captain of militia in the British service, 
and employed in erecting a fort on Lloyd's 
Neck, in 1776 and 1777 ; and afterwards he 
saw Leffert Lefferts, of Bedford, Esq., and 
Nicholas Covenhoven, of Brooklyn, yeoman, 
acting as wagon-masters or appraisers and 
collectors of wagons and horses for the Brit- 
ish service, in the present Southern District 
of New York ; and at several times in 1778, 
and since, he saw John Titus, of New York 
city, merchant, employed in merchandizing, 
who told deponent that he had been out of 
the British Lines for a considerable time since 
the war, and had been employed as Commis- 
sary for the American army, and that he had 
got into New York city, in 1778, with about 
100 hogsheads of rum, which he had pur- 
chased out of the British Lines for Conti- 
nental money. 

Nehemiah Heartt. 

A true bill preferred in Court, July 19, 

1783. 

George Froeligh, Foreman. 

Elntered in the minutes of the Supreme 
Court, October 22, 1783. 



Queens County — 2d Series. 63 

Lord 1780, at the 1st ward of the City of Al- 
bany, in the County of Albany, with force 
and arms, &c. , did adhere to the enemies of 
this State, against the peace of the people of 
the State of New York and their dignity. 
And the said Dowe Van Dyne having (accord- 
ing to the form of the Act of the Legislature, 
entitled "An Act for the forfeiture and sale 
of the estates of persons who have adhered 
to the enemies of this State, and for declaring 
the Sovereignty of the people of this State in 
respect to all property within the same,") 
been notified to appear and traverse the said 
indictment, and not having appeared and 
traversed within the time, and in the manner, 
in and by the said Act limited and required ; 
it is therefore considered that the said Dowe 
Van Dyne do forfeit all and singular the 
Estate, both real and personal, whether in 
possession, reversion or remainder, held or 
claimed by him within this State, to the peo- 
ple of this State. 

Judgment signed this 29th day of Decem- 
ber, 1783. Robert Yates. 



New York Supreme Court, ss.: Of the 
term of October, in the 8th year of the Inde- 
pendence of this State. 
Be it remembered, that on the 8th day 
of June, in the 5th year of the Independence 
of the State of New York, the Jurors of the 
people of this State, for the body of the 
County of Albany, did upon their oath pre- 
sent, that Dowe Van Dyne, now or late of 
Newtown, in Queens County, Captain, on the 
15th day of September, in the year of our 



1784, Nov, 16. A petition in favor of Sam- 
uel Jones, as Judge, was signed by Burr, 
Hamilton, Popham, Riker, Crimshier and 24 
other eminent lawyers of New York. 

At the close of the Revolution there was an 
exodus of the more active Tories, who feared 
the vengeance of the returning Whigs. Had 
they quietly remained on their farms they 
would have suffered but little if any harm. 
But they dared not trust to the unknown 
future, and hastily sold off their possessions 
and embarked for Nova Scotia, New Bruns- 
wick, Canada and the British Isles. The de- 
parture of so many wealthy, talented and re 
spectable inhabitants was no doubt a great 
loss to the Island, and a greater loss to the 
emigrants themselves. After wasting their 
money and their energies in the unpropitious 
climate and soil of Nova Scotia, many re- 
turned to the land of their birth, where, for a 
generation at least, they had to bear the 
taunts and jeers of the Whigs. But the To- 
ries at length had their revenge at the polls, 
and Queens County was strongly Federal (for 
that party favored them) till within the past 
thirty years. 

After the peace some of the Whigs sued 
the Loyalists for trespass. Here follow some 
instances : 



y 



64 



Revolutionary Incidents 



1784, March 19. Abraliam Monfort sues 
John Hewlett for damages, £10, before Jor- 
dan Seaman, Esq., for a debt due his father, 
Jost Monfort.* Hewlett pleads that Monfort 
sues without the addition of " Executor" or 
"Administrator." Verdict for plaintiff, £6.8, 
and costs, £1.8. 

1784, April. Benjamin Rushmore vs. 
Thomas Van Wyck. Statement of the case. 
Governor Tryon, August 5th, 1778, forbid 
any person buying cattle in Suifolk County, 
except for the British army, under penalty of 
forfeiture to either buyer or seller. Benjamin 
Rushmore and Clark Cock disobeyed, where- 
upon Thomas Van Wyck, as Captain of Mili- 
tia, received orders from Abijah Willard, 
Commissary of Cattle, to go with some Light 
Dragoons to Rushmore and Cock's to bring 
their cattle to Hempstead, which had been 
driven by them from Suffolk County, contrary 
to the above order, and to require the own- 
ers (Rushmore and Cock) to assist in driving 
them. He did so, and now Rushmore has 
lately sued Van Wyck before Jordan Seaman, 
Esq., for trespass and £10 damages. Rush- 
more said in Court that Van Wyck obliged 
him to assist in driving his cattle from his 
house to Cock's, and thence to Hempstead. 
Whereupon, ore tenus, Van Wyck pleaded 
Tryon's proclamation and order. Rushmore 
replied that Van Wyck carried him by way 
of Cock's house, which was out of the way 
and contrary to orders. The Justice gave 
judgment 16 shillings damages, and 7 shil- 
lings and 9 pence costs. 

1784, April 34. Joseph White sued John 
Hewlett, of Oysterbay, for £10 damages, be- 
fore Jordan Seaman, at Daniel Dodge's, Jeri- 
cho, for that John Hewlett by force compelled 
liim to move a Meeting House at Oysterbay, 
when Colonel Simcoe lay there, for which he 
charged six days' work, at 16 shillings per 
day, and for coming after him in the night to 
go with his team to draw the house, 2 shil- 
lings ; and he further saith that John Hew- 
lett had billeted nine horses and five men on 
him for two days and two nights, at a charge 
of 18 shillings ; and for driving cattle for him 
to Brooklyn Ferry upon this condition, that 

* Soon after the British got possession of the Island, 
Hewlett rode around the country and took from the 
Wliisis live stock, and whatever else was needed by 
the King's troops. Hence tliis suit. Tlie Legislature 
(March 17, 17H3) enacted that in all cases of trespass 
the defendant could not plead the order of the enemy. 



John Hewlett was to get a liorse out of the 
army for him, and he further saith that when 
he came to the Ferry, Hewlett said that if he 
would prove himself a friend to the British 
government he would recover his horse for 
him ; therefore Hewlett not performing on 
his part, he charges him 33 shillings for 
driving the cattle. John Hewlett saith he 
confesseth the facts, and he owes White 
nothing ; that he had not compelled him to 
move the Meeting House, nor engaged to pay 
him for his work ; that he did endeavor to 
recover White's horse, but could not succeed 
unless White would prove, &c.; and that 
White had ordered him with his team to 
draw said Meeting House, for which he 
charges him 50 shillings, unless he could 
produce an order. Verdict for plaintiff, £5, 
and costs, 18 shillings and 9 pence. Defend- 
ant appealed by a writ of certiorari to the 
Supreme Court. 

1784, April 10. William Wright sues 
John Hewlett before Jordan Seaman, Esq., 
for £1.13, for driving sheep to the King's 
troops, in September, 1776. Hewlett pleads 
that he acted by orders from Headquarters, 
Long Island, September 4, 1776, and did not 
employ him to drive said sheep. Verdict for 
plaintiff, £1.10.3. 

1784, April 17. William Sackett, of New- 
town, sues Daniel Rapelye, at William Betts's, 
for false imprisonment. Verdict for plain- 
tiff, £10 and costs. Rapelye appealed by 
certiorari. 

Johannis Polhemus, a Tory, kept a tavern, 
during the Revolution, at what is now Wood- 
haven. Before he went in exile to Nova 
Scotia he sold his farm (October 4th, 1783,) to 
Samuel Van Wyck, for £1,800, 

1781, May 32. Peter Frederickson sues 
Joseph Oldfield, before Benjamin Everett, 
Esq., at Nathaniel Box's Inn, Springfield, for 
taking from him a gun and cutlass, damages 
£10. Oldfield pleads that he took them un- 
der orders verbally from Lord Cornvvallis, 
that Long Island was then under control of 
British troops, and that the 6th article of the 
Definitive Treaty of Peace was a bar. Plea 
overruled and verdict for plaintiff. A certio- 
rari was issued June 5, 1784. 

1784, May 18. Twenty-six persons ban- 
ished by the Legislature of the State of New 
York, for adhering to the King of Great 
Britain, have been permitted to return. 



^ 



Queens County — 2d Series. 



65 



1786, July. William Sackett, Newtown, 
sues Justice Richard Alsop, Abraham Polhe- 
mus, Sr. and Jr., and Charles and George 
Debevoice, for trespass, in catting off his 
woodland from November 16, 1779, to March, 
1780, for the construction of huts, and fuel 
for the use of the 37th and 54th Regiments of 
British troops and the Regiment de Land- 
grave, to his damage, £800. The defendants 
plead (1.) That Long Island was then con- 
quered by the enemy, and (2.) An order of 
Governor Tryon to take wood from the most 
convenient places, giving Rebel woods the 
preference. Alsop, it seems, after the receipt 
of the above order, requested Abraham Pol- 
hemus to show the Hessian troops quartered 
at his house and neighborhood the way to 
Sackett's woods. The Hessians then im- 
pressed the horses and wagons of Polliemus 
and Debevoice, to cart the wood to their quar- 
ters. Verdict given for plaintiff, £190 dam- 
ages and 6 pence costs. 

1788, Sept. 4. William Cornwell, of Cow 
Neck, sues Stephen Thorne, and gets a ver- 
dict of £418.12 damages and 6 pence costs. 
Witnesses for plaintiff, William Doty and 
Richard Sands ; for defendant, John Kissam 
and Stephen Thome, Jr. 

1788, Sept. 4. Isaac Hendrickson .sues 
Whitehead Cornell, of Rockaway, and recov- 
ers 10 shillings damages and 6 pence costs. 
Witnesses for plaintiff, Martha Davenport 
and Uriah Hendrickson ; for defendant, Mi- 
cajah Mott, Stephen Bales, John Foster, 
Richard Hewlett and Mary Covert. 

1788, Sept. 8. George Norton vs. William 
and Timothy Cornell, verdict £.')2, and 6 
peace costs. Witnesses for plaintiff, Peter 
Huff and Piatt Carll ; for defendant, John 
Latham, Richard Thorne, John Remsen, 
Isaac and Jacob Willets. 

1789, Sept. 1. Henry and Timothy Titus 
vs. Isaac Youngs. Robert Troup for plain- 
tiff, Aaron Burr (in behalf of Harison) for 
defendant. The reasons for putting off this 
trial are that John Hewlett, Jr., says that 
Youngs lives forty miles beyond Albany ; 
Thomas Van Wyck, in Nova Scotia, and 
Lemuel Douglass, in Demarara, are impor- 
tant witnesses. 

The suits against the Tories (under the 
Trespass Act) for damages done the Whigs 
did not amount to much. Able lawyers, dis- 
agreeing jurors, certioraris, and the law's de- 
lay were obstacles in the way of indemnity. 



Other Suits, supposed to be mostly pok 
Trespass During the War. 

1784. 

Ezra L'Hommedieu vs. Richard Hewlett, £ — 
Rev. Abraham Keteltas, vs. Richard Betts, — 
Samuel Cornell and Benjamin Sands vs. 
John Kissam and Edward Thorne, — 

1785. 

John Skidmore vs. Elijah and Obadiah 

Pettit, £225 

John Hendrickson vs. Joseph Langdon, 30 

Uriah Mitchell vs. Benjamin Coe, 60 
J. L. Skidmore vs. Samuel Simmons, 

(trespass), 50 

Samuel Norton vs. Samuel Stringham, 10 

Abraham Keteltas vs. Nicholas Ludlam, 20 

John Wright vs. David Seaman, — 

David Brooks vs. John Farmer, 18 

1787. 

June 4, John Luyster vs. John Remsen ; 
for plaintiff. Skinner ; for defendant, 
D'Harrt. — 

Phineas Carll vs. Israel Youngs, 100 

1788. 

Jacob Foster vs. Stephen and John 

Bates, £12.10. 

Jacob Foster vs. Joseph Dorland, 3. 5.6 

John Sands ».'*. John Kanagy, 10.10. 

Benjamin Birdsall vs. Michael Williams, — 
Isaac Bogart vs. Isaac Remsen, 10. 1. 

Edmund Smith vs. Stephen Hewlett, 20. 4. 
John Sands vs. Richard Hewlett, 50. 

Uriah Mitchell vs. William and Debo- 
rah Smith, (trespass), 11.11. 
(Elizabeth Dorland sworn.) 
Phillip Allen vs. John Wortman, 92.17.6 
Abraham Keteltas vs. William Talman, 4. 
Ephraim Baylis vs. Nicholas Ludlam, 18. 4. 
Nehemiah Carpenter vs. Tunis Covert, 12. 
Same y«. Isaac Amberman, 12.12. 
Thomas Wickes vs. Thomas Van Wyck 

and Obadiah Valentine, no plea, 

Jesse Brush vs. Henry Van Mater, Judgment. 
Increase Carpenter vs. Stephen Carman, £8 
Daniel Duryea vs. Abraham Lott, — 

William Glean vs. Daniel Whitehead, 10 

Mary, Executor of Elias Baylis, vs. George 

Watts, 32 

John Sands vs. George Elwin, — 

William Loines vs. Thomas Van Wyck, of 
Ovsterbav, £2,789 



66 



Revolutionary Incidents 



List of names, supposed to be Loyalists or 

Refugees, taken from the account books of 

Drs. Tredwell and Searing, 1776-83 : 

Aptliorp, James, '75. 

Archibald, John, '84. 

Akins, Mrs., '81 ; Robert, '86. 

Avery, [Samuel], at John Alburtis', '78 ; Jo- 
seph, '87. 

Ayres, Conductor, '78. 

Baley, at Jackson Mott's, '83. 

Bean, [Thomas?], '81. 

Benning, Colonel. 

Blissard, at Joseph Thome's, '78. 

Blunt, John, at Townsend Willis', '80. 

Bogardus, at Benjamin Cheeseman's, '84. 

Booth, Joseph, refugee, '78. 

Bowen, Captain, '81. 

Bower, Barney, sutler, at James Cornell's, '81. 

Braine, Mrs., at Captain Cornell's, '81. 

Brill, Mr. and son, '80. 

Brotherson, John, '77. 

Brown, Lieutenant, Harbor; Mr., at Thomas 
Farrington's, Westwoods, '83. 

Brundage, John and Jeremiah, '82. 

Buffington, Jacob, '81. 

Bulson, [Benjamin], '85. 

Burgess, '80. 

Burket, George, '82. 

Burrows, schoolmaster, '78. 

Cam, or Carr, Mr. schoolmaster, '81. 

Campbell, Molly ; Major, at Success, '82. 

Canaga, John. 

Carr, Charles, refugee, '81, at Esq. Smith's. 

Carson, '81. 

Case, Mr., schoolmaster, '81. 

Casted, Mrs., '82. 

Chase, Mr., '77. 

Charlick, John, '83. 

Ciser, [Cheshire], Mr., at John Carle's. 

Chyle, John, '83. 

Conway, Richard, schoolmaster, '79. 

Clark, Adjutant, '79. 

Clayton, James, '81. 

Close, Lieutenant, '82 ; Benjamin, '78. 

Crane, Thomas, at Poole's, '81. 

Cochran, Mrs. '77. 

CofEee, '80. 

Cook, Micah, '80. 

Crow, Captain ; son William, '82. 

Compton, '83. 

Cromwell, Benjamin, '76 ; Isaac, '81. 

Cudney, at Francis Davenport's, '82. 

Cunningham, '79. 

Danford, William, '83. 

Delancey, Warren, '76. 



Desbrosses, James, '76. 

Denny, [Penny?] '81. 

Devoe, Andrew, Success, '82 ; Frederick, '80 ; 

Daniel, '84. 
Def riest, [Dehurst ?], at Philip Valentine's,'78. 
Derbrig, at Stephen Cornell's, '82. 
Devanport, Lewis and Newberry, '82. 
Dikeman, Josiah, at Van Brunt's, '81 ; Eze- 

kiel, '82. 
Dickenson, Major, '78. 
Dickerson, Captain Gilbert, '77 ; Stephen, 

refugee, '78. 
Dickson, John and Thomas, '80. 
Docerty, at Colonel Tred well's, '81. 
Dongan, John, '78. 
Drisdel, John. 
Duffee, Thomas, '76. 
Fassha, Peter, '83. 
Finch, at Joseph Thome's. 
Filkins, Isaac, '81. 
Flin, '78. 

Follett, John, Ridgefield, "77. 
Gaittar, Charles, Hempstead, '80. 
Gardner, Miss, at Thomas Titus's, '83. 
Grey, Elizur, '83. 
Grifiis, Captain, '81. 
Gray, silversmith, '83. 
Greene, Captain, '81 ; Samuel, '77. 
Halse, at Thomas Powell's, '77. 
Hambleton, '76. 
Hemfer, John, '76. 
Halsted, at Philip Allen's, '78. 
Houghton, Captain, '80. 
Hanford, Thomas, '80. 
Hatfield, Philip, at Joseph Thome's, '78. 
Holmes, at Stephen Cornell's, '81. 
Hosack, Polly, '81. 

Hoyt, Isaac, '80; Mr., schoolmaster, '81. 
Hubbard, '80. 

Johnston, Mrs., at Isaac Latten's, '82. 
Jenkins, 82. 
Jervis, John, '82. 
Jordan John, '78. 
Katerhorn, Garrison, '82. 
King, Jacob, '76. 
Knap, Jonathan, '81. 
Lake, Daniel, '77. 
Lawson, '82. 
Leroy, Francis, '82. 
Langdon, refugee, at Jerusalem, '80. 
Lapum, [Lapham], at Esq. Smith's, '80. 
Lounsbury, at David Jones's, '80. 
Mangel, at Mrs. Menzies's, '81. 
Marsh, John, '82. 
Maybe, Widow Ann, '84. 



Mayes, '82. 

Mays, James and Andrew, '82. 

McDonald, Captain, at William Cornell's, '81. 

McEvers, Charles, '77. 

McLean, Neal, at William Alliby's, '81. 

Merrit, Captain, and son, John, '78. 

Miles, Captain Samuel, '80. 

Miller, Hendrick and William, '78. 

Montross, Joseph, '84. 

Morehouse, Jonathan, '81 ; James, Sr. 

Mullener, William, '76. 

Murray, Mr., '78. 

Murrow, Daniel, '80. 

Mushroc, Miss, at Richard Kirk's, '82. 

Nash, Samuel, '81. 

Nat, Hannah, '77. 

Nicholson, '82. 

Nolter, at Mr. Cumming's, '85. 

O'Hara, refugee, '78. 

Olive, Dr. 

Ogden, John, '78 ; Mr. Ogden, Sr., '81. 

Olmstead, Ambrose, '78. 

Onderwood, Joseph, '82. 

Osburn, Captain, Salem, '77. Paid David 
Willis, for board. 

Palmer, Benjamin, '79. 

Parent, Daniel and John, '82. 

Pell, Elijah, '82. 

Perry, '80. 

Perse, Jacob ; William, '80. 

Pratt, Jonathan, '77. 

Prou, '83. 

Pryer, Thomas, at John Searing's, '83. 

Purdy, Elias, at Searingtown, '81. 

Reynolds, Jacob and Samuel, '78. 

Ryder, Zadoc, of Fredericksburg, at Thomas 
Cornell's, '77. 

Rix, Mr. and Nancy, '81. 

Seacau, Miss, at Richard Kirk's, '82. 

Seaman, Adam, refugee, '80. 

Series, Mrs., wife of Purser of "Scorpion," 
at Lawrence Hewlett's, '78. 

Shaver, paper-maker, '77. 

Shapher, '82. 

Sharp, Henry, '83. 

Sharpston, Jacob, '82. 

Sherman, "81. 

Sherod, Joseph, '84. 

Simpson, William, '76. 

Sillabrig, Thomas, '79. 

Slover, at John Thome's, '81. 

Smith, Joseph, refugee, '78 ; Robert, at Suc- 
cess, '81 ; James, at H. Allen's, '81 ; Mr., 
"a sutler," '80; Josiah, or Ciah, refugee, 
'80. 



Queens County— 2d Sebies. 67 

Souther wick, at James Cornell's, '78. 

Stebbins, '76. 

Stevens, Thomas, at Esq. Smith's ; Daniel, 
at Captain Woolley's, '82 ; Joseph, '76. 

Stone, Lieutenant, at Charles Cornell's, '81. 

Stoutenburg, Peter, '76. 

Sweet, Ruscom, at Captain Cornell's. 

Theall, Captain, Cortland's Manor, '77. 

Thomas, Peter, '78. 

Thompson, '80. 

Thurman, Daniel, of Captain Allison's com- 
pany, '77. 

Traves, '81. 

Trump, Johannes, Jacob, Herman. 

Ustick, '81. 

Vernon, '83. 

Van Mater, '81. 

Waldron, '84. 

Ward, William, '77. 

Webb, William, '79. 

West, James, '83. 

Whaley, Peter, '79. 

White, Nathaniel, '76. 

Whiteman, Colonel, '83. 

Whiting, Captain, '82. 

Wickham, Major, '80. 

Wilson, at Esq. Smith's, Herricks, '79. 

Wood, Lieutenant, at H. Hagner's, '81. 

Wright, George, '77 ; Captain, '78. 



An imperfect list of Militia Officers, 1776 
to '83, in the Eastern part of Queens County, 
under British authority. There were seven- 
teen companies in all, and each Captain exer- 
cised a military control in his district, sub- 
ject, however, to his superior officers. 

1. Captain Benjamin Hewlett, Hempstead ; 
Sergeants Elijah Wood, Andrew Allen, 
Elijah Spragg, Zebulon Smith, Lott Car- 
man, Silvester Bedle. 

2. Captain Stephen Thorne, Cow Neck ; 
Sergeants Seaman Weeks, John Fritz, 
Thomas Smith. 

3. Captain Woolley, Great Neck. 

4. Captain Timothy Cornell, Hempstead ; 
Sergeants Abraham DeMott, Jacob and 
Martin Van Nostrand. 

5. Captain D.ivid Jones, Oysterbay South ; 
Sergeants Jacob Covert, William Wood, 
Robert Wilson, Tunis Van Cott. 

6. Captain Samuel Seaman, Oysterbay South; 
Sergeant James Balding. 



68 



Revolutionary Incidents 



7. Captain Charles Cornell, Success ; 
Sergeants Obadiali Valentine, Solomon 
Powell, David Searing, Samuel Place, 
Daniel Toffey, Peter Vandewater, Henry 
Post, Richard Hewlett, Pearce Pool, Eli- 
jah Smith, James and Samuel Davenport. 

8. Captain Thomas Van Wyck, Eastwoods ; 
Sergeants Daniel Terry, Penn Weelcs, Jo- 
hannes Bennett, Benjamin and John Wal- 
ters, Joseph and Stephen Denton. 

9. Captain Abraham Van Wyck, W^olver 

Hollow; 
Sergeants Abraham Remsen, Jacob Ca- 
show, Nicholas Van Cat, Jost Snedeker. 

10. Captain Daniel Youngs, Lieutenant George 

Weeks, Oysterbay; 
Sergeants Justus Macoun, Daniel Weeks, 
Robert Wilson, Joseph Lattin, William 
Bennett. 

11. Captain Jervis Coles, Musqueto Cove ; 
Sergeants Henry Craft, Simon Hauxhurst, 
William Frost, Abraham Seamans, Daniel 
Albertson. 



During the war the civil courts in Queens 
County were suspended, the jail torn down, 
and military rule prevailed. When the Brit- 
ish were about evacuating the Island, the in- 
habitants were apprehensive of outrages from 
robbers, and were urgent to have civil au- 
thority re-established. Hence the following 
correspondence : 

Duck Pond, April Stii, 1783. 
To Samuel Toioiisend, Esq., Oysterbay. 

Dear Sir: — I embrace the earliest oppor- 
tunity in acquainting you of a meeting pro- 
posed at Colonel John Sands's, at Cow Neck, 
on Thursday next, at 10 o'clock, to consult on 
our situation of danger from robbers on the 
withdrawing the troops, and a remedy, also, 
in the practicability of having a share in the 
election for Governor of the State of New 
York. The election is to commence the last 
Tuesday in this month. Please to attend 
yourself, if possible, and inform one of the 
substantial men in Suffolk County, and desire 
his attendance. Reasons very interesting re- 
quire our utmost exertions. 

Yours, James Townsend. 



Queens County, April IOtii, 1783. 
To Thomas Trechcell and Thomas Wickes. 

Gentlemen: — We have this day met a 
number of persons of Queens County at Mr. 
Hendrick Onderdonk's, at Hempstead Harbor. 
These, as well as ourselves, are under great 
apprehensions of the confusions, robberies 
and other disagreeable circumstances we shall 
labor under until civil government can take 
place. They have addressed the Governor, 
George Clinton, on the subject for relief. Like- 
wise, as the election for a Governor is shortly 
to take place, and they think themselves en- 
titled to a voice with the rest of their fellow- 
citizens. They have asked the Governor's 
opinion and advice. We were deputed by a 
number of the people of Huntington to attend 
the meeting and approve their measures and 
means, as soon as we can collect the sense of 
the people more at large, to adopt similar 
measures. If time will not permit us to send 
a person to His Excellency, we beg that you 
will use your influence with the Governor, 
and give us the earliest intelligence of its 
success. The bearer of this, Mr. Onderdonk, 
goes to the Governor for Queens County, and 
can give you more particular information. 
John Wickes, 
Stephen Kelcy. 



April 10th, 1783. 
To George Clinton, Governor of Nexo York. 

We, the subscribers, have been appointed 
a Committee, by sundry persons of Flushing, 
Hempstead and Oysterbay, to congratulate 
your Excellency on the return of peace and 
the independence of the United States of 
America, and to express our apprehension of 
the dangerous situation we are in before civil 
government takes place. We wish to have 
your advice how we are to proceed. We 
think ourselves entitled to a voice with our 
fellow-citizens of the State in the approach- 
ing election. The bearer, , has 

direction to explain our wishes more at 
large. [Names omitted]. 



The jail of Queens County, that stood in 
Jamaica, was torn down by the British, during 
the occupation of that town, to construct bar- 
racks for the soldiers (juartered there. Hence 
the following bills for guarding prisoners, 



Queens County — 2d Series. 



69 



&c. Some were sent to the Bridewell, in 
New York. 

Account of Emory Hewlett for keeping 
three prisoners from November 1st to 29th, 
1783: 

Victualling 3 men, at £1.10 per week, £6. 
4 cords of wood, at £1.8, 5.12 

Use of room for prisoners and guard,* 6. 
9 lbs. candles, at 2 shillings, 18 

3 pairs of irons, at 4 shillings, 12 



£19. 2 

1783, Dec. 27. The Constable of West- 
chester County took up Joseph Lockwood, on 
suspicion of murder committed on Long 
Island, carried him to Long Island, and 
thence, by order of Prior Townsend, Esq. , to 
New York jail. In 1787, £12.16.10 wa.s al- 
lowed him by the Supervisors. 

Flushing, July 17th, 1784. 
John Thome, Supervisor, Dr. to Joseph 
Beasley, innkeeper, for the guard : 

£s.d. 

1. 

4.6 
3. 
1. 
9 

2.6 

2. 

3.6 

1. 
1.6 



To 2 grogs, 
3 suppers, at Is. 6d., 
3 pints spirits. 
Lodging 2 men, 

1 lb. candles, 

July 18th. 

2 glasses bitters and 2 breakfasts, 
1 grog and 1 lb. candles, 

1 grog and 3 pints spirits, 

July 19th. 

2 grogs, 

1 grog and supper, 
1 dinner, by Esq. Talman, 



£1.2.9 



Queens County to Jonathan Pearsee, Jailer, 
New York, Dr. : 
Keeping and maintaining 4 prisoners, f 

from June 23d to November 1st, 1784, 

at 1 shilling a day, 528 days, £26. 8 

Gaol fees, 6 shillings each, 1. 4 

Deduct 16 days' maintenance, while on 

trial. 16 



£26.16 



*The Supervisors deducted £4 on the use of room. 

t They robbed Thomas Thome's house, June 18th, 
at night. Two. William Guthrj' and Joseph Alexan- 
der, were hnnged at Beaver Pond. Jamaica ; the others 
were pardoned.— "S'ee Rewlutionary Incidents, p. 186. 



Jamaica, September 24th, 1784. 

£s. 
To guarding the prisoners one night, 7 

To supper, breakfast, and one dram, 16 

To John Searing, guarding the prison- 
ers and expenses of it, 16 
To Samuel Burr, do., 16 
To Daniel Clement, do. , and going to 

Hempstead Harbor and expenses, 1. 5 



1784, Sept. 25. Queens County to Uriah 

Mitchell, Dr. : 

Expenses of 9 men and horses, going 
as a guard to New York for the pris- 
oners, £5.10.5 

Wagon-hire to fetch them up, 1. 4. 

Expenses of 12 men, as guard, from 
September 22d to 25th, 3 days, at 12 
shillings per day each, 21.12. 

Expenses of 9, men and horses, as a 
guard, 5. 8. 

Wagon-hire to carry them down, 1. 4. 

William Betts's [innkeeper] account, 10.12. 

William Thurston, blacksmith, for sta- 
ples, &c. , 18. 

Ringing the bell and cleaning out the 
church,* 1.15. 

Expenses for horses and Mr. Creed, 5. 



£48. 8.5 



1784, Nov. 1. Queens County to Uriah 
xMitchell, Dr.: 
Expenses of myself and horse, going 

after prisoners to New York and 

returning, 
Wagon-hire, 

Keeping the horses at the ferry, 
Nehemiah Hincliman's account, 
Blacksmith's work. 
Digging the graves. 
Rope and handkerchiefs, 
SherifE's fees for hanging, 
Mr. Pearsee's account, 
Under- SherifE's account, 
Constables' account. 



* The trial was held in the Presbyterian Church, 
Jamaica. 



£2. 




1. 4. 




10. 




8.17. 




17. 




18. 




14. 




10. 




26.16. 




1. 6. 


4 


9.16. 


6 


£61. 8.10 



70 



Revolutionary Incidents Queens County — 2d Series. 



Jamaica, November 1st, 1784. 

Queens County to Neheraiali Hindi man, Dr 
To timber, boards and spikes, [for a 

gallows], 
To 3 coffins, at 16 shillings, 
To 2 carpenters, 4 days, at 12 shillings 

per day, 
To help in raising gallows, 
To Tike, wagon and horses, to take 

gallows to the Pond, 
To my trouble. 



£1. 5 
1.12 

4.16 
4 

4 
16 



£8.17 



Jamaica, November 2d, 1784. 
Queens County Dr. : 

To Samuel Burr, Constable, for ex- 
penses for fetching the criminals 
to Jamaica, £1.12.9 

To John Searing, Daniel Clement, 
John Oosline, Piatt Smith, Peter 
Hendrickson, £1.12 each, 8. 



£9.16.6 



1784, Nov. 2, Augustine Mitchell's ac- 
count of expenses fetching the criminals to 
Jamaica: 

New York, 9s. 7d. ; Ferry, 6s. 6d. ; Ja- 
maica, 10s. 3d.; ' £1.6.4 













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